Mexico has the most visited Marian shrine in the world

The most visited Marian shrine in the world is the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, "Heavenly Patroness of all Latin America and the Philippine Islands," in Mexico City. This minor basilica which houses the tilma or cloak containing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is also the National Shrine of Mexico.

Marian devotion in that country goes back to the period of the Spanish Conquest of the Americas. This part of the North American continent was successively evangelized by Franciscan missionaries, Dominicans, Augustinians, Jesuits, Carmelites, Mercadarians, and more recently, by Marian Congregations such as the Congregation of the Mission who introduced devotion to the Miraculous Medal. 

Today, devotion to the Blessed Virgin is so strong in Mexico that there is no diocese or important city without at least one church dedicated to the Mother of God. Our Lady is venerated under at least 200 different titles, some of which are now universally known. By far the most illustrious is Our Lady of Guadalupe, but many other Marian shrines are important places of pilgrimage also. Undoubtedly, the successful evangelization of Mexico can be credited to the strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin.

The Marie de Nazareth editorial team