Handmade Mexican Folk Art, Nicho Shrine, La Union Tejalapam Oaxaca, shops Our Lady of Guadalupe Lavender Celestial Altar 5"x9.5"x3"

Handcrafted Lavender Altar, carved in the remote village of La Union Tejalapam by Benjamin Santiago

Altar Our Lady of Guadalupe, 5"x9.5"x3"

Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness of the Americas and of Mexico. She appeared to Saint Juan Diego and asked for a church to be built in her honor, but the bishop did not believe him. Then Juan Diego gathered roses and when he opened his cloak and released them before the bishop, her image appeared on his cloak.

Public celebrations, or fiestas, are held in honor shops of Mary, the Virgin of Guadalupe, on December 12. Catholics from across Mexico and other countries pay pilgrimage to see an image of Mary (Virgen Morena), believed to be authentic, in the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City.