A pilgrim carries an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe outside the Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City on December 12, 2015. Catholics commemorate the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe in this place to Saint Juan Diego, a native Mexican peasant, in 1531. OMAR TORRES/AFP/Getty Images
December 12 marks la Virgen de Guadalupe's birthday and each year thousands of pilgrims unite to celebrate Mexico's Patron Saint and attend holly masses in her honor. Virgin Mary’s many titles include Virgen de Guadalupe, most commonly associated with an iconic image of the Blessed Mother housed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe or Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Mexico City. Before the famous Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe we know today began construction, the "Templo Expiatorio a Cristo Rey" occupied its place but was sinking due to its weak foundations. The current Basilica began construction in 1974 and was finished in 1976 by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez.
Some devotees of Our Lady of Guadalupe, start their pilgrimage from other states of the country and walk their way (or crawl on their knees) to the Basilica. Apart from celebrating ‘La Morenita’, faithful Catholic pilgrims normally offer their sacrifice to get pardoned for their sins or get a miracle from the Virgin. The Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe became a national holiday in Mexico since 1859 and every year, people go sing "Las Mañanitas" along with whichever famous singer is chosen. This year it was Lucero and Pedro Fernández's turn to praise and wish the 'Virgencita' a happy birthday by singing the 'Mañanitas.' Celebrations took place all over world in major cities like New York, Paris, Vatican City, Guatemala, El Salvador, Monterrey, Ciudad Juarez, amongst many others.
Dancers in indigenous costumes perform outside the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on December 12, 2015. Catholics commemorate the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe in this place to Saint Juan Diego, a native Mexican peasant, in 1531. OMAR TORRES/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands of pilgrims arrive to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on December 12, 2015. Catholics commemorate the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe in this place to Saint Juan Diego, a native Mexican peasant, in 1531.OMAR TORRES/AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis (C) celebrates a mass in honour of Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, December 12, 2015.REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito
A group of Mariachis plays as a pilgrim holds an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe during an annual pilgrimage in honor of the Virgin, the patron saint of Mexican Catholics, at the Cathedral of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico December 12, 2015.REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez
Pilgrims hold up images of the Virgin of Guadalupe during an annual pilgrimage in honor of the Virgin, the patron saint of Mexican Catholics, at the Cathedral of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico December 11, 2015.REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez
Pilgrims sleep an improvised camp site at the Basilica of Guadalupe during the annual pilgrimage in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexican Catholics, in Mexico City, Mexico December 11, 2015.REUTERS/Henry Romero
Devotees light candles to celebrate the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe outside the Basilica of Guadalupe in San Salvador, El Salvador December 12, 2015. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas
Girls participate in a ceremony to celebrate the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe inside the Basilica of Guadalupe in San Salvador, El Salvador December 11, 2015.REUTERS/Jose Cabezas
A child riding a toy horse poses for a portrait as devotees celebrate the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe outside the Basilica of Guadalupe in San Salvador, El Salvador December 11, 2015.REUTERS/Jose Cabezas
