Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
On December 15, 2002 the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that "for Racine's [WI] Hispanic Catholic community -- particularly for people of Mexican heritage -- Dec. 12 is no ordinary day... It is a celebration for the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, known as Our Lady of Guadalupe for her apparition in 1531 near Mexico City to a Christian named Juan Diego at which she declared her love for the people of Mexico, according to Catholic Church teachings... On Dec. 12, Mary is said to have performed miracles -- healing Diego's uncle, making roses grow and bloom on barren ground in the winter and placing her own image on Diego's garment. That image is said to remain intact and is on display at Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City. Mary is said to have asked Diego to have the Catholic bishop build the basilica."