The History of the Tilma Relic
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Archbishop John J. Cantwell |
In 1941, Archbishop John J. Cantwell of Los Angeles led a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. The Archbishop of Mexico City was so grateful for the visit that he sent a relic of Juan Diego's tilma to Archbishop Cantwell in Los Angeles. This piece of the tilma, which is approximately a half-inch square, is the only known relic of the tilma in the United States. The relic is draped over a 17th century statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe and has been in the Archives of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles under the care of Monsignor Francis J. Weber. Given the natural ayate fibers used to make the tilma, it is nothing short of miraculous, according to experts, that this relic and the rest of the tilma in Mexico City have survived for nearly five centuries: the cloth should have disintegrated hundreds of years ago.
In 2003, His Eminence Roger Cardinal Mahony of Los Angeles graciously permitted the Apostolate for Holy Relics to undertake this tour in order to spread devotion to Our Lady in this Year of the Rosary and to commemorate the first year of Juan Diego's sainthood.
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Tilma Relic to be displayed at Guadalupe Festival |
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