The Relic of the Tilma of Tepeyac Tour will visit the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for one day only in late November 2003. The relic is a piece of the cloak worn by Saint Juan Diego when Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to him in 1531 in Mexico. Accompanying the relic is a 17th century statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This visit is an important occasion for all Catholics but especially for Mexican and Mexican-American Catholics in the Archdiocese. Everyone is invited to attend.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia sponsors this visit at Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Parish, 8900-8910 Gap Newport Pike in Avondale, Chester County. The relic will be displayed on Saturday, November 22, 2003 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and again from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All are invited. There will also be prayer services throughout the day. For more information, in both Spanish and English, please call 215-587-5632.

Background
The tilma in its entirety is enshrined in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City and contains the image of Mary, imprinted when she appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 on a hill in Tepeyac, Mexico. The Archbishop of Mexico City gave the relic, cut from the tilma, to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles 61 years ago.

Contact
Donna Farrell
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747