The Knights of Columbus is preparing to host a Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe which not only will feature top experts on the miraculous image, but will also focus on its spiritual meaning for the world today.

In 1531, Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Saint Juan Diego, a poor Indian from Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Mexico City.  She identified herself as the Mother of the True God and left an image of herself imprinted miraculously on his tilma, a poor quality cactus-cloth.  Although the tilma should have deteriorated within 20 years, it still shows no sign of decay over 470 years later.

Featured lecturers will include Dr. José Aste Tonsmann from Peru, who is known for doing extensive research on the reflections visible in the image’s eyes.  Also speaking will be Rev. Msgr. Eduardo Chávez, who oversaw the cause for canonization of St. Juan Diego and Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus.

In addition to addressing the scientific aspects of the image, the congress will also discuss the spiritual meaning of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s message of love and compassion and its relevance today.

“The centrality of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Americas as ‘the Christian Hemisphere’ is clearly evident throughout North and South America,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson in a press release. “Her message is one that has as much importance and meaning today as it did nearly 500 years ago.”.