Our Lady of Guadalupe: And the Conquest of Darkness

by Warren H. Carroll

With gripping detail and firsthand accounts that read like a novel, renowned author Warren Carroll unveils the events that led up to the divine intervention in which Our Lady of Guadalupe was sent to an Aztec, known now as St. Juan Diego. Here is the untold story of the faith and valor of the Spanish as they encounter an early Aztec culture marked by an immorality and an idolatry of epic proportions, along with the hardships they endured in the face of unspeakable cruelty.

You will see the hard reality of Aztec culture — the homage that terrorized souls would pay to the satanic rulers who oppressed them and the widespread practice of human sacrifice in worship of chilling gods with diabolical titles. All this is juxtaposed against a Catholic culture propagated by the indomitable Queen Isabel of Spain.

In these gripping pages, you will discover:

Leaders such as Hernan Cortes, in his own words, and what inspired him to never sound retreat
A little-known but influential woman named Lady Marina
Whether it was just for the Spanish to reclaim Mexico
Astonishing conversions and the multitudinous Baptisms that occurred
How the Spanish would charge the Aztec warriors despite the 10,000-to-1 odds against them!
Medical evidence of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s world-changing apparition
The exacting researcher Carroll recounts the astonishing speed with which the Spanish overtook the Aztec empire, one of the greatest conquests in history. You will learn about infamous defeats, including the Night of Sorrow, and apocalyptic-like battles between the ferocious warriors that resulted in the foundation of the Church in Mexico. You will behold brilliant tactical maneuvers, diplomacy at its best, and, most significantly, how Mary helped secure the victory of life over a dark culture of death.

This book is ultimately a testament to God’s immeasurable power and mercy, which we are invited to experience even now.

Genres: History, Catholic, Religion, Christianity, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian

120 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Dr. Warren H. Carroll was a leading conservative Catholic historian and author, and the founder of Christendom College.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Very true to Warren Carroll’s style.... lots of historical facts. I was expecting this book to be mostly about the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe... however the first 3/4 of the book were about the conversion of Mexico (the Aztecs) and the wars between Cortes and Montezuma. I still enjoyed this book and learned so much. Hindsight, the author was setting the stage for the timing of Our Lady’s appearance to Juan Diego. The culture HAD to change in order for the people’s hearts to be open to such a special blessing from above. Cortes paved the way for the missionaries. War had to happen before peace could come. Most contemporary history courses paint Catholic historical figures in a bad light. However, Carroll does an excellent job setting the record straight. He neither idealizes Cortes nor belittles his historical significance. The chapters about the apparition and Juan Diego are moving! I highly recommend.

[JoséMaría BlancoWhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nevermind if you are a Catholic, a Protestant or neither. Are you against human sacrifices and for human rights? Well, then get rid of your prejudices and read this book. It is time that our young folk at college start getting the facts right, if not at college then through the original sources. This book is a summary of the Conquest (physical & spiritual) of Mexico by the Catholic kingdom of Spain. Whether you like it or not not is not the point... they are f!acts. History is not to be liked or disliked, it's past and there's nothing to do about it. Those who consider the Christianization of the Aztecs (along with their subjugation to a new people) wrong, they ought to tell me what they would have done if they were among the Spaniards of those times. I say it's ridiculous to put ourselves in the position of folks 500 years ago while living in the sedative & government-subsidized world of today (unless you're a hypocrite to dare).

How can this excellent historian condense all the adventures and facts of this history in so few pages is something that I haven't seen before. The result is that not only every page, but every line and every word is precisely chosen and placed. I am savoring every page of it, going back and re-reading to fully grasp the implication of the scenes described.

Mr. Warren H. Carroll's Catholicism doesn't diminish the accuracy or objectivity of this account; we are talking History, not politics or religion, and Mr Carroll is a historian of top-notch quality. He uses Aztec as well as Spanish sources that, either were themselves witnesses or recuperate testimonies from witnesses. Mr Carroll knows the contemporary accounts of the Conquest, and he specially uses the version by Salvador de Madariaga (if anybody knows him he can be reassured of his qualified status among historians).

Facts: In 1487 during the rule of a Tlacaellel among the Aztecs, and when he was 89 years old, he dedicated the new pyramid-temple in the center of Tenochtitlan. He dedicated with the greatest mass sacrifice of his "reign". The sacrifice went on for 4 days and 4 nights killing 80,000 people from the hostile provinces and the swollen ranks of slavery. It took only 15 seconds to kill each victim (they were that expert).

Those pre-Marxists and socialists of yesteryear killed about 50,000 folk a year. Do our college professors and minority rights advocates consider this a legitimate part of their ancient culture?

There's many, many amazing and eloquent stories to be read here. But I want to finish by mentioning Mr Carroll's point about how the Conquest of Mexico (and by extension of all Hispanic America) got a bad name. I bet the hypocrite progressists of our anti-American campuses know well Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas. This monk would become such an "advocate of all the Indians that he tried to pretend that the horrors of human sacrifice in Mexico were only a tiny fraction of what they actually were ... there can never be an obligation to stand by while thousands of innocent people are being killed because of state or "religious" policy, if one has the power and the means to prevent it without causing still greater evils." Says the author of this little book, and I agree, although this is still in our day a great debate.

But I recommend this great book also because it is one of the greatest stories in human history, condensed and viewed from a very interesting point of view, specially if you believe that God knows it all and that nothing falls short of His plan. If so, one has to start accepting that Cortés had something more than talent and courage to account for in order to take over such an immense empire. Could it be that God was with him? A bunch of coincidences and fortunes kept the conquistadors alive and winning against all imaginable odds... maybe God really answered their prayers.

And every time the conquistadors arrived somewhere and established themselves, the Cross had always to be present, and the name of Christ in there lips ready to shield them from evil. This man Cortés may not have been a saint, or even a good Christian (nobody can say) but there is no doubt that he trusted the Lord for his protection, and that he procured with all his heart and sincerity to abolish idols and human sacrifices.

If Cortés had always been a hero to me, now I see him in a new and even more favorable light.

When Cortes was beaten out of the Aztec capital, during the Night of Sorrow, he sought refuge among the Tlaxcalans, a people who were enemies of the Aztecs. Then:

"Blind old chief Xicotencatl, and his fellow chiefs greeted Cortés with these words: Oh, Malinche, Malinche, how sorry we are about your misfortunes and that of your brothers, and the many of our own people who have been killed along with yours! ... Now it has happened and no more can be done at present but to attend you and give you food. YOU ARE AT HOME; REST AND SOON WE WILL GO TO OUR TOWN AND PUT YOU UP. Do not think, Malinche, that it was a little thing to escape with your lives from that strong city with its bridges. I tell you that IF BEFORE WE TOOK YOU TO BE VERY BRAVE, NOW WE TAKE YOU TO BE MUCH MORE SO."

All indigenous Mexicans should read this story and think for themselves if it was worth it. Actually they have done so, for only leftists and phony intellectuals pretending to be the protectors of their rights still wish they kept their cults of death and darkness.

[The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get this book while you still can! Why be satisfied with leftist, anti-Western accounts of the conquest of Mexico? Case in point: How often do you hear that the Aztecs were conquered by the Spanish? Well, I suppose they were, and the author DOES criticize the Spanish when needed. But that doesn't tell the whole story... In the end, what is now Mexico City was conquered by a mere 1,000 Spaniards with the help of a staggering 150,000 native allies, who were obviously tired of Aztec oppression and exploitation. Read the book and you'll find out what their grievances were in graphic detail.

Carol's knack for revealing God in history really shines through. This would make a spectacular movie! Just think about it... In what was possibly the most monumental moment in history, the two halves of the world finally met. The climax was when Cortes and Montezuma, representatives of the most powerful empires on either side of the Atlantic, met face to face, the one suspecting the other of being a god and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. You can't make that stuff up! In the end, as often happens in such pivotal moments in history, the Mother of God appears, pointing the way back to her son in a violent world.

[Nate B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some notes:

1. Hernan Cortez is a boss.

2. The Aztecs do be kinda bad though.

3. Our Lady of Guadalupe is like amazing and I love hearing stuff about her any day.

4. The title kinda misleading, let’s be honest.

5. #Conquistadors4daWin

6. Oh, yeah, great book, 5/5.

[Darryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good account of the conquest on the Aztec's by the Spanish. This book gives a fair representation of the facts. It does not whitewash the atrocities committed by the Spanish after conquering Mexico City. It also states clearly the horrific accounts of the almost constant human sacrifices practiced by the Aztecs. Any nation which willingly mass sacrifices it's people in that horrid manner needs to have intervention.

This book also gives account of the apparition of Our Lady to Juan Diego. It gives compelling evidence as to the event occurring, and the resulting 9 million baptisms which followed. Our Lady of Guadalupe is truly the Patroness of all the Americas.

"Though many conventional historians of Mexico today prefer not to mention Our Lady of Guadalupe (or at least, not at the point in time when she appeared), it should be self-evident that this immense surge of baptisms beginning in 1532-these millions of Indians suddenly seeking out the sacrament of Christian initiation with an overwhelming desire, even when not in contact with the missionaries, when most of them had previously held back despite the best efforts of the missionaries and the prestige of the conquerors-derived primarily from the impact of the apparition and the portrait, once news of them had spread throughout the land during the course of the year 1532." (p105-106).

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Pray for us!

[Luke Prohaska · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up

Carroll introduces very fresh perspective regarding the Colonial Period. Obviously, the conquistadors don't have much of a positive reputation in contemporary society, and a good amount of that is for good reason. Carroll is honest in his evaluation of the conquistadors, demonstrating their many shortcomings, such as times where they disregard human dignity, are focused on material wealth above all, and are unnecessarily violent. However, the aggressive conquest of the Aztec empire, which is the focus of the book, is not without reason. Human sacrifice was rampant throughout the Aztec empire, and Montezuma and the other leaders took many prisoners and slaves from periphery societies for the sake of human sacrifice. It is not out of the picture to say there could have been upwards of a million sacrifices of humans every year. One especially horrific example is when a new temple was made to one of the major gods, 80,000 people were brutally sacrificed over a four-day period. It is hard to comprehend what it would have been like to come from Spain to a new world where human souls were cast aside in such a haphazard way.

Cortes, the protagonist of the story, and the rest of his conquistadors, were understandably incensed by this blatant disrespect of human dignity, and aimed to stop this horror immediately by whatever means necessary. Many natives actually joined their cause to rise up against Montezuma, which provides some contrary perspective to the progressive view that the conquistadors simply killed, raped, and pillaged everything in their path due to their superior technology. I personally think it is unfair to expect these conquistadors from a Spain that was very homogenous in culture and religion to be as tolerant and understanding as we are striving to be in America, with all its diversity, today. Some Spaniards did remarkably well, such as the Franciscan monks who always advocated for the dignity and respect of the Aztecs and their culture. But, as in any army, there are a variety of men with various goals. Thus, some conquistadors certainly had the wrong motives and took advantage of the natives and their resources for personal gain.

Due to the poor example of some of the conquistadors and the very obvious poor example of the Aztec leaders (Cortes actually did comparatively well, but he left to take care of other issues), most of the natives obviously wanted nothing to do with the Aztec religion or Christianity. The Franciscan monks there to baptize and evangelize did not make much progress at all for a number of years. This all changed with Juan Diego, a middle-aged indigenous man that had been one of the first baptized. He had witnessed the height and the fall of the Aztec empire and was now witnessing this "New Spain." He went to the bishop of Mexico City to claim that he Mary had appeared to him, but the bishop, without evidence, didn't know what to tell him. Mary appeared to Juan Diego several more times, and the final time offered him proof for the bishop in the form of a bouquet of flowers that were out of season. This was impressive by itself, but when the bishop saw the image of Mary imprinted on the inside of his "tilma" (cloak), he was astounded. I am very much a skeptic when it comes to miracles, but this specific image is astounding to me. 450 years later, it is still in Mexico City with vibrant colors on the same tilma made of organic plant matter that should have rotted away years ago. The image has been analyzed with a microscope today, and art scholars have stated that there are no brush strokes. Furthermore, the stars in the sky correspond with the constellations in the sky on December 12, 1531. I love Our Lady of Guadalupe because it demonstrates how God utilized Mary to bridge the barrier between the Spaniards and natives. The natives thought as Christianity as the white man's religion, and many of the Conquistadors wanted it to stay that way. But Mary is pictured with the dark skin of a native, is in native dress, and stands on the moon and in front of the sun, showing her dominance over the Aztec gods. Yet, her hands are still clasped in prayer, showing that she is not God, but rather receives direction and points others toward Him. In over 10 years, very little progress had been made in the spread of the gospel, yet after the natives saw the mother of God pictured as one of their own in this miraculous way, they flocked in the thousands to be baptized. Only a handful of Franciscan missionaries baptized over 9 million people in ten years after the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Overall, I took off half a star because lots of Carroll's history of the conquest is taken from the journals of the Spaniards, which likely casts them in a more positive light than is realistic. However, the book is extremely engaging. It is a history book, but it reads like a novel. Finally, Our Lady of Guadalupe is such a fabulous example of God's faithfulness and his devoted love for all of his children of every culture. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a one of kind historical account of the religious human sacrifice practices of the paganistic of the Mexica/Aztecas. The author makes the sound Catholic argument that these were Satanistic practices which were battled by the arriving Spanish friars and priests. The author weaves a flawless tale of this dark period to the baptism of millions of 'new' Christians who joined the Catholic Church. Liberals who believe otherwise deny God and they should read this book. I found this book an amazing piece of historical/cutural research an an excellent narrative.

[Fabi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would give this book zero stars if I could. Warren Carroll is a racist quack.

[Avery Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book about my favorite image of Mary, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Maria Morena. Though Europe historically has been a Catholic country, this book explains how through Mary’s intercession that there has never been a more Catholic country than Mexico or that the future of the Catholicism is in the New World, the whole South and North American continent. And we can see this now in our present times as people are converting to Catholicism like never before.

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, ruega por nosotros!
Viva Cristo Rey y La Virgen de Guadalupe! 🇺🇸🇲🇽

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warren H. Carroll (1932-2011) was a leading conservative Catholic historian and author, and the founder of Christendom College; he was a convert to Catholicism in 1968. Previously, he had also served as an analyst in the CIA's anti-communism division, and he also served on the staff of Congressman John G. Schmitz.

He wrote many books, such as 'The Founding of Christendom: A History of Christendom (vol. 1),' 'The Building of Christendom, 324-1100: A History of Christendom (vol. 2),' 'The Glory of Christendom, 1100-1517: A History of Christendom (vol. 3),' 'The Cleaving of Christendom, 1517-1661: A History of Christendom (vol. 4),' 'The Guillotine & The Cross,' etc.

The majority of the book actually is an historical account of Aztec Mexico, Cortes' conquest, etc. Finally, he recounts, "At dawn Saturday, December 9, 1531, the day after the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Juan Diego was on his way from the village ... to morning Mass, which he attended every day he possibly could... As Juan Diego came to the summit of the hill he heard singing, and saw a brilliant white cloud aureoled in rainbow... a beautiful young woman appeared before the cloud, her clothes shining... Juan Diego fell to his knees...

"Then she said... 'I wish and intensely desire that in this place my sanctuary be erected so that in it I may show and make known and give all my love, my compassion, my help and my protection to the people... And so that my intentions may be made known, you must go to the house of the bishop of Mexico and tell him that I sent you and that it is my desire to have a sanctuary built here.' Mary had come to claim the conquest Hernan Cortes had made in her name." (Pg. 99-100)

He adds, "On Tuesday morning, December 12, Juan Diego started out, avoiding the top of Tepeyac hill out of fear and embarrassment because he had not kept his promise to return there. But Mary came down the side of the hill to intercept him, asking him where he was going. He explained about [visiting his sick] uncle. She responded... 'Am I not of your kind? Do not be concerned about your uncle's illness, for he is not going to die. Be assured, he is already well.'... With these words, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, gave back to those who had been Satan's captives their dignity and their hope. She was of their kind. She was no alien, no stranger. She was theirs." (Pg. 101)

Of the portrait of Mary on Diego's cloak, he comments, "That portrait still exists today, just as it was then, in brilliant color, that normally short-lived cactus fiber cloth untouched by the passage of 450 years, Anyone can go to Mexico City and see it... the best evidence that the Blessed Virgin Mary truly visited Juan Diego... must always be her portrait itself. Very recently... it underwent one of its most searching scientific studies... News of the miracle spread rapidly through the Valley of Mexico..." (Pg. 102-104)

He observes, "Though most conventional historians of Mexico today prefer not to mention Our Lady of Guadalupe... it should be self-evident that this immense surge of baptisms beginning in 1532---these millions of Indians suddenly seeking out the sacrament of Christian initiation with an overwhelming desire, even when not yet in contact with the missionaries, where most of them had previously held back despite the best efforts of the missionaries and the prestige of the conquerors---derived primarily from the impact of the apparition and the portrait, once news of them had spread throughout the land..." (Pg. 109)

This book contains a great deal more "historical background" than many (most?) readers may care for. But for a firmly "Catholic" interpretation of the events leading up to the apparition, this book will be much welcomed.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short book on the history of the Spanish conquest of Mexico followed by a brief summary of our Lady of Guadalupe's appearance to Juan Diego. Dr. Carroll writes from a position sympathetic to the Spanish and relies heavily on Spanish primary sources, putting him at odds with most modern scholarship. I.e. he strongly emphasizes the central role of human sacrifice in Aztec society and the Christian moral obligation to end it.

Written like a novel, the story is never dull. It gives a uniquely Catholic perspective of the Spanish conquest. A refreshing angle, considering the modern caricature of Cortez's expedition as purely motivated by avarice.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carroll indeed is a historian and his summary of extensive research makes for a notable read on the background to Guadalupe. His wit and commentary come through only after he has established the history. His perspective is primarily from the viewpoint of the evangelization of a new culture to the truth of Christianity and it is fascinating. Carroll is the founder of a Catholic university so don't mind silly comments about his identity.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and well written little book. Every Catholic should read it!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really excellent and thrilling account of the conquest of Cortes, with many primary source details of the gruesome Aztec religion and the Catholic Spaniards’ astonishing bravery. While the scene was perfectly set for Our Lady’s arrival, the account of the apparition itself and subsequent miraculous conversions feels a bit rushed, almost an epilogue to the book. Looking forward to reading the Flower World Prophecy for more context on how Our Lady of Guadalupe under this particular title was able to transform the hearts of a people who were, just ten years before, deeply accustomed to institutionalized depravity and evil of all kinds, including human sacrifice and systematized cannibalism.

Totally worth the read on the whole, especially as an introduction to this period. Picture from a true and vital Christendom that suffered no insult to the Faith or to any one made in the image and likeness of God. Makes you love Franciscan missionaries even more than before!

[Emily Byrd Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is on Dr. Peter Kreeft’s list of 26 Books Every Catholic Should Read (slowly working through the list). I echo his recommendation! It is a deeply moving account which honestly grapples with some of the criticisms surrounding the events before and after. Folks may arrive at different conclusions, and not wrongly so, but the arguments and the scholarship are solid, and not based on sentiment or superstition (no surprise there; Kreeft wouldn’t recommend it otherwise).

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. Saint Juan Diego, pray for us.

[Corne Kooyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historically fascinating and very well written. But besides the fact that he almost completely ignores all the known atrocities the Spanish committed (and have been reported on by other scholars) I find the book tries to be historical and theological,and by doing so loses some impartiality and leaves one guessing and wanting to know what actually happened

[Jacob Knepper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Warren Carroll is a very levelheaded author who gives history’s characters their due: if they’ve done wrong, they’ve done wrong. If they haven’t done wrong, he corrects the modern narrative against truth.

[Stanley Galaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Presents the atrocities of the Aztec empire and how, the Spaniards, wants to liberate the land from horrendous customs.

The book also tells us how peace were brought by the spaniards and how greed slowly takes place overtime during their rule.

I do love how it is distinguished with 2 separate sections namely, the physical and spiritual conquest of mexico, if i could remember it correctly. I do agree with a review that the title seems a little off considering the end was not grim.

[Zelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book 4 stars and not 5 because although this book is filled with many fascinating historical facts, I do not agree with everything that Warren H. Carroll includes in his book. For example, he seems to agree with the Dr. Callahan's conclusion that certain parts of the image on the tilma, such as the sunburst, stars, etc. of Our Lady of Guadalupe were made by human hands. Contrary to Callahan's conclusion that certain parts of the image were made by human hands, the evidence available today proves otherwise. I would recommend watching this video by Brother Peter Dimond for more info about the tilma and many of its miraculous aspects:The Amazing and Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe- (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds7nD...)
There are other things that Warren says that reveal an attitude of disapproval for what is allowable according to Traditional Catholicism. Unfortunately, Warren H. Carroll was not a Catholic. He denied that the Catholic faith is necessary for salvation. Please see this video for more information:Why Historian Warren H. Carroll was not a Catholic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gcnv...)

[Jessica]

I'm just starting this book now!

[Marcelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

First class story telling, great references.

[Steve Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most excellent historical account of the events leading up to the Our Lady's visit to Mexico.