Page:Life in Mexico vol 1.djvu/133

Rh bring them to her. The humble messenger obeyed, though well knowing, that on that spot were neither flowers nor any trace of vegetation. Nevertheless, he found the roses, which he gathered and brought to the Virgin Mary, who, throwing them into his tilma, said, "Return; show these to the Bishop, and tell him that these are the credentials of thy mission." Juan Diego set out for the episcopal house, which stood on the ground occupied by the Hospital, now called San Juan de Dios, and when he found himself in presence of the Prelate, he unfolded his tilma to show him the roses, when there appeared imprinted on it, the miraculous image which has existed for more than three centuries.

When the Bishop beheld it, he was seized with astonishment and awe, and conveyed it in solemn procession to his own oratory, and shortly after this splendid church was erected in honor of the patroness of New Spain. "From all parts of the country," continued the old Bishop, "people flock in crowds to see our Lady of Guadalupe, and esteem it an honor only to obtain a sight of her. What then must be my happiness, who can see her most gracious Majesty every hour and every minute of the day! I would not quit Guadalupe for any other part of the world, nor for any temptation that could be held out to me;" and the pious man remained for a few minutes as if wrapt in ecstasy. That he was sincere in his assertions, there could be no doubt. As evening prayers were about to begin, we accompanied him to the Cathedral. An old woman opened the door