Maria von Guadalupe: Wie das Erscheinen der Jungfrau Weltgeschichte schrieb

by Paul Badde

Mexico, December 9, 1531. Ten years after the Spaniards conquered this land, on a hill on the outskirts of the capital, something inconceivable happens to Juan Diego, a native of the area. At dawn a heavenly figure comes to meet him, revealing herself as "Mary, mother of all men". To confirm the first vision, the Lady not only entrusts him with several messages. But, also, in the final vision, leaves her portrait mysteriously present on his tilma. It is the portrait of a young woman looking downward. She is clothed in a dress figured with roses and a mantle spangled with stars. From the time of its occurance this event has moved people. However, because of the fascination with the image itself, doubts have been raised, causing some to reject it altogether. This image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, along with the Shroud of Jesus in Turin, have possibly become the most mysterious images on earth. The more studies are made of the image and of the cloth, the more mysterious it all becomes, for believers and scientists alike. In a hands-on investigation, Paul Badde has been delving into this mystery from a historian's point of view, but also with the growing wonder of a journalist who has stumbled across a fabulous treasure. In this heartfelt report, Paul Badde tells the fantastic story of the apparition that changed the history of the world. Only in light of this mysterious event, can one explain why the inhabitants of Central and South American entered the Church so quickly. Mary of Guadalupe was the person who inserted a whole continent into Western Culture. Illustrated with 16 pages of color photos

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Spirituality, Christianity, Theology, History

255 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author does a great job of briefly telling the story of Juan Diego's visions of the Virgin Mary in Guadalupe, Mexico. He describes the event and the image of the Virgin and then discusses how other events are associated with these visions. The book is well researched, although seems to include a lot of the author's own personal opinions and emotions. Additionally, I was confused by why he focused so much on his time in Jerusalem. There was some relation to the main subject, but not enough to justify the amount of time that he spent on it. I felt that he could have further explored the effect of the Virgin's appearance in Mexico in 1531 with the next few centuries of Mexican history. Instead, he discussed the immediate aftermath and then seemed to skip to Pope John Paul II's visit in 2002. While this was interesting, I felt there was a lot that happened in the meantime that could have been explored.

[Saffron Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. It was everything I wanted and so much more. It took stories which looked as though there weren't many connections on the surface and wove them together into one big perfect jigsaw. Definitely worth a read if you were ever interested in one of the few Divine made images on the planet besides the Shroud of Turin and St Luke's portraits of Mary. The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Victory (a.k.a. Our Lady of the Rosary) and the battle of Lapanto was particularly memorable.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book.

[Daniel Millard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I selected this book in hopes of its being something like William Thomas Walsh's "Our Lady of Fatima" - a re-telling of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe: straightforward and factual. What I got was a semi-biographical approach from an experienced journalist - not at all poorly written, and not without a substantial amount of useful additional information and context (especially with Badde's trips to the Holy Land and commentary/description of other Marian holy sites). However, I thought it detracted somewhat from the core purpose of the book: which I would presume to be the miracle of Tepeyac Hill and its impact upon modern Mexico and the Catholic Church.

Just too narrative and long-winded for me to love, though Badde's story about his personal growth and increase in devotion is certainly touching. I am still left feeling that I don't understand this miracle and its import as fully as I would like, and still require another book on the subject.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I found this book on Our Lady of Guadalupe. This book is almost a journal of the author's journey in discovering the image of Our Lady on the tilma of St. Juan Diego, in Mexico. Paul Badde is a German journalist, and like me, really knew nothing about the Patroness of the Americas. He begins a years long investigation that takes him from Germany to Mexico, to the Holy Land for a few years, and then to Rome. The book is very personal, very spiritual, and touched my heart many times. Looking for facts, seeking out knowledgeable historians, make this read a journey for Catholics, and for any Christian seeking the truth. I will be recommending this book to my fellow Catholics, as our diocese is being consecrated to Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, 2019. She and I have become very close over these last few weeks.

[Amanda Foto · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Whoever would want to could settle the disputes about the formation of the image, if it was painted or what was painted or not painted. Here there was no dissension. Here there was a person in front of me, not an image, even though…”

This book took me quite a while to get through but I’m glad I read it. It takes a historical deep dive into Marian apparitions, from Mexico to Jerusalem, and follows one journalist on his adventure to explore Mary of Guadalupe. A slow moving book at times but worth the read.

[Rodrigo Aguilar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Más que ser un libro exhaustivo sobre la Virgen de Guadalupe, relata el itinerario que el autor siguió para conocer el fenómeno Guadalupano.

[Patricia Lenahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful true journey of one man, the journalist Paul Badde, as he discovers the mystery and marvel of Mary in the image of Guadalupe.

[Jessica Muñiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a great book, loved the quote from the Visionary in Medijourie. “I live in Mexico for many to see” ❤️

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the best books I have ever read! I recommend this to everyone!

[Esperanza Smrtc]

I enjoyed this book tremendously. Also learned a few things that I didn't know.