OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Feast Day: December 12, 2025

FACTS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW REFLECTION IN MARY’S EYES

When put under a microscope, scientists

discovered that light is reflected in Mary’s

eyes in the exact same way as in a living

human eye. Not only that, but you can

see Blessed Juan Diego himself reflected in her eyes. A Japanese optometrist actually fainted when examining the eyes on the tilma because he said he was looking into human eye

THE ROSES

First of all, it was Winter and flowers weren’t blooming at that point. Secondly, the roses that Juan Diego picked at Mary’s request were not native to the region, but were Castilian roses native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The Bishop recognized the roses because they were grown in the region of Spain where he was from.

THE TILMA

The tilma is made out of cactus fibers. This material should’ve decayed within 5 years. And yet after nearly 500 years it’s still perfectly intact. Over the years it has had nitric acid spilled directly on it, and even survived a bombing with 12 sticks of dynamite. And yet the tilma remains in near perfect condition.

CAN’T BE RECREATED

There are no animal or mineral pigments on the tilma. These would’ve been present had the image on the tilma been painted. There are also no under drawings or brush strokes on the image. The pigments that were available in the time and in that area would’ve faded by now, and yet the image hasn’t faded.

THE STARS

The stars on Mary’s mantle are exactly as they would have appeared on Dec. 12, 1531. The perspective is as if you’re looking from behind the sky to Earth — like Heaven looking down on Earth. The pattern of the stars would place the constellation corona borealis (the crown) on her forehead, virgo (the virgin) over her heart, and leo (the lion—i.e. the Lion of Judah) over her womb.

Source: https://ourcatholicradio.org/blog/9-fascinating-facts-you-probably-dont-know-about-guadalupe-image