1.- What is it?

The narration of Our Lady of Guadalupes's appearances to Beatified Juan Diego, aztec native, which took place from the 9 to the 12 of December, 1531. It was originally written in Náhuatl "lingua Franca" in Mesoamerica, and still used in several regions of Mexico. The two initial words Nican Mopohua have been used by antonomasia in order to identify this report, although many indigenous documents begin alike. The complete title is: "Here it is told it is ordered how not so long ago the Perfect Virgin Saint Mary, Mother of God, our Queen, named Guadalupe; there in the Tepeyac, appeared". It is the main source of our knowledge of the Message from the Holy Virgin to Beatified Juan Diego, to Mexico and to the world. The oldest copy is located in the Public Library of New York Rare Books and Manuscripts Department. The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundation.

It is attributed to Don Antonio Valeriano (1520? - 1605?), learned indigenous, outstanding disciple of Friar Bernardino de Sahagún. Don Antonio heard the story from the seer himself, who died in 1548.

3.- Plot.-

The plot is unique. In a proper, dignified and firm style, it narrates the Evangelization of a culture through God's and the Holy Virgin's intervention. Reading between the lines, and from the Nahuatl's point of view, one becomes aware of the way this Evangelization soaked even the most intimate and delicate fibers of the pre-hispanic culture. The union of two unreconcilable cultures is carried out. In the prime of times for America, Holy Mary appears bringing Christ. There is an identification of the essential points of the Bible: - Christ, center of the History - (John 3,14 - 16) with the essential parts of the Nican Mopohua (VV. 26 - 27) and with the essential of the glyphic message from the Image of our Lady of Guadalupe: the Sun Child that She is carrying in Her Womb.

NICAN MOPOHUA PLAN

A.- PLOT AND PROEM

B.- THE BEGINNING

1 - 2 CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND THE EVENT

C. MEANS

FIRST DAY

3-5 Introduction of Beatified Juan Diego. 6-7 Circumstances of time and place. 8-13 Prelude of the Appearance: chants; the seer's state of spirit, voice of the Holy Virgin.

14-21 Vision of the Holy Virgin. Transformation of the environment. 22-38 Dialogue between the Holy Virgin and Beatified Juan Diego. The Holy Virgin introduces herself; she asks for a temple to make Her son known; verse 27 is the central part of the narration. Our Lady sends Beatified Juan Diego to the Bishop. 39- 45 Interview between Beatified Juan Diego and the Bishop. The former fails to convince the latter.

46-67 Beatified Juan Diego goes back. He reports his failure to the Virgin. He pleads her to be substituted. The Virgin ratifies him in his mission. He promises to carry it out.

SECOND DAY

68-82 A second interview with the Bishop, who is more inclined to believe. He asks for a signal. He sends some servants to spy Beatified Juan Diego.

Third Appearance 83-93 The servants fail to spy Beatified Juan Diego. He tells the Virgin what has happened and She promises to give him a signal on the following day.

THIRD DAY

94-98 Beatified Juan Diego's uncle falls gravely ill and this fact stops him from attending his appointment with the Holy Virgin; he spends the day looking after his uncle, who wants a priest to help him die.

FOURTH DAY

99-142 When Beatified Juan Diego is on his way to look for a priest, he tries to avoid a possible meeting with the Virgin. Fourth Appearance, Fifth Appearance, Sixth Appearance, She stops him on his way, She comforts him and sends him to cut some flowers. When he goes back to Her and shows Her the flowers, She tells him that the flowers are the signal that he should present the Bishop. Simultaneously, she appears to Beatified Juan Diego's uncle and cures him. 143-180 After some difficulties, Beatified Juan Diego manages to see the Bishop and gives him the flowers.

Seventh Appearance

181-187 When Beatified Juan Diego gives the Bishop the flowers, the Sacred Image of the Holy Virgin suddenly appears impressed on Juan Diego's ayate and everybody who is present is astonished. 188-190 The cult to the Holy Virgin in Her Sacred Image begins. 191-210 The Bishop informs about the place in which the Holy Virgin wants her sacred house to be built. He makes sure that Juan Diego's uncle is cured and through him he receives the name by which the Holy Virgin wishes to be honored in Her Image. 211-213 The Holy Virgin's wish is fulfilled. Her Image is moved to a place in which people can worship and honor Her.

D. THE END

214-218 The whole city is touched; it admits the supernatural character of the Sacred Image and it delivers its heart to the Holy Virgin.

BIBLIOGRAPHY