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World Religions
Catholicism in Mexico
When most people see Catholics, they probably think of Mexicans or Mexican culture.
Roman Catholicism follows the Pope, who is seen as the successor to Saint Peter. This church
goes back into Mexican history as far as 1519. When Herman Cortez landed in Mexico during
the 16th century, he was with clergy from the Roman Catholic Church. Since then, the religion
will be wearing head scarfs and dressed modestly. (Mexico). It is also normal to hear prayers
and see people worshipping together. In my life time, the only places I have seen people worship
as a group were in homes, churches, or my school (I attended Catholic schools). Another norm in
Mexicos religious culture are relating everything back to the Saints. You lost something? Pray to
St. Anthony. Have an exam you need to ace? Pray to St. Joseph of Cupertino. Religion is not just
There are a huge number of sacred places in Mexico, which should come as no surprise
since the country itself acts religiously. One of the most sacred places in Mexico is the Basilica
of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe goes as follows; one day, a man
named Juan Diego was walking when the Virgin Mary appeared to him and told him to build a
church in the very spot he was standing. Juan Diego then told the bishop who had appeared to
him and requested to build the church as she wanted. The bishop did not believe and asked him
for a sign of proof. The Virgin Mary appeared to him again and
told him to pick flowers and then bloomed roses, which were
roses in his robe and took them to the bishop. While he showed
Blessed Mother.
The image shown above is the robe
belonging to Juan Diego.
http://www.sacred-
destinations.com/mexico/mexico-city-
Again, there
basilica-guadalupe/photos/icon-lg-pd
should be no
separated. The man who ignited Mexicos Festivals are held throughout Mexico City
every December 12th to honor Our Lady
independence was a parish priest. (Agren, 2016). of Guadalupe.
http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Mexicans-
celebrate-Virgen-de-Guadalupe-2396275.php
During that time, only Catholics counted as citizens
of Mexico. It wasnt until the Mexican Revolution of 1910 that Mexicos leaders believed that
the Catholic Church was going to hold them back. (Agren, 2016). After that, religion had to be
separated from government. However, as religious as the country is, I do not think there will ever
Roman Catholicism was the first religion in Mexico and it still is the most popular one there
today. By what I have heard from people from Mexico and by what I have researched, the
country is filled with the religion; whether it is candles lit at the register in a liquor store or cars
with the Virgin Mary printed on the back window, you cant escape it. Mexico is Catholic.
References
Agren, D. (2016, February 12). Separation of Catholics and state: Mexico's divisive religious
history. Retrieved March 04, 2017, from
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/12/mexico-catholicism-politics-religious-
history-pope-francis
Riding, A. (2016, February 21). A Bloody Tale of How Mexico Went Catholic. Retrieved March
04, 2017, from http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/21/a-bloody-tale-of-how-
mexico-went-catholic.html