Since then, Mexicans have considered the Virgin of Guadalupe as their saint patron, and they offered her great reverence.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims year after year go to the Guadalupean Basilica, which by legend was built at the Virgin's request in the place where the miracle occurred, and they offer her dances and gifts, as well as make petitions.

Beginning the night of the Dec. 11, the faithful of all social levels kneel down before her image, which she left on Juan Diego's cape as proof of the miracle.

Many historians say the Spaniards "invented" the miracle in order to control the Indians they had just conquered, patterning her after the traditional Aztec Goddess Tonantzín, who was adored in the same place. Nonetheless, many indigenous people adore the goddess as if she were the Catholic Virgin.

This year as always, Sacred Heart Church in Olema celebrated the day with a solemn mass, in the same way many other Catholic churches do it in US in areas where Mexican immigrants live.

This time, the new pastor of the church, José Bravo, was in charge of the celebration, which included a representation of the miracle along with mariachi band music.

After that, everybody enjoyed food served in the Family Center of the parish, where adults and children had drinks and tamales while listening to the music of the mariachis.

To close the fiesta, the child Iván Jesœs Vidrio was chosen as best dressed in the style of Juan Diego. Gifts were given to the other children. Señor Margarito Loza, from Spaletta ranch, won a huge boombox in a raffle in which everyone participated.