The Story of Guadalupe
The Story of Guadalupe, as recounted by Luis Laso de la Vega is the first written account of the espoused miraculous event that shaped the national history and direction of Mexico. Several significant factors of Vega's account illustrate how the Spaniards used the legend as a tool to incorporate themselves in Mexican culture and change the ideology of the Aztecs to that of a lesser value than the blessed new nation that was taking form.
At the time of the writing of Vega's version of The Story of Guadalupe, other than the government, the Catholic Church was the most powerful and influential institution in the New World and in the Spain. Missionaries had attempted to convert the Aztecs to Catholicism but most of their conversions were forced and unity was not achieved between the Aztec culture and the Spanish colonists that were arriving in the New World in vast numbers. Therefore, the stage is set for government and church to band together in an effort to unite the two cultures. What better tool to use than religion. The Story of Guadalupe would serve as a national anthem for the Catholic religion, and its tradition and powerful folklore would be used to convince the Indians of the might of the colonist's God through the Blessed Lady of Guadalupe.
The Lady of Guadalupe was said to been revealed to the commoner Juan Diego in his own native language, Nahuatl. The fact that the account of Guadalupe was revealed in the native language of the Indians, credence is given to the fact that the tale was directed at the Indians and not the already believing Spanish colonists, convinced of the power of Spanish Catholicism. Vega writes,
"You have exercised your love in a greater way, when you summoned and called a poor humble commoner in his own language and made a copy of yourself and painted yourself with flowered fragrant hues on his mantle, his maguey cloak, so that he would not mistake you for any other and also so that he would hear and take to heart your utterances and your wishes".
Related Research Paper Topic Suggestions
A Modern Priest Looks At His Outdated Church - A Modern Priest Looks At His Outdated Church Research Papers look at a book that examines the human impact of the legalism of the Catholic Church.
Catholic - Catholic research papers overview the Catholic Church, Catholicism and the Catholic Religion. Custom religion research papers can be ordered from Paper Masters on being Catholic.
Catholic Family - Research papers on the Catholic family tell what it is like to live in a Catholic family and grow up being Catholic. Paper Masters gives suggestions for topics on the Catholic family in the 21st Century, in light of Church Scandal, or the Catholic family of the past versus today.
Catholicism - Catholicism research papers overview the religion. As one of the founding Christian faiths, Catholicism is frequently studied but not well understood in today's world. Have Paper Masters write your research paper today and learn what it means to be Catholic.
Catholicity - Catholicity research papers report what custom written research papers call the Catholic Church's claim as the Universal Church.
Catholic Sacraments - Research papers on Catholic sacraments look into the Catholic Church's theology that believes that Jesus instituted seven different sacraments and it is the responsibility of the Catholic Church to protect those sacraments.
Celibacy and The Catholic Church - Celibacy and the Catholic Church research papers overview the history of celibacy and the priesthood in catholicism. Paper Masters suggests that students explore celibacy for priests and determine if the practice is out of date and if the Catholic Church needs to change its policy for priests.
Celibacy and The Priesthood - Celibacy and the Priesthood research papers overview the policy of the Catholic Church on Priests and marriage and sexuality.
Council of Trent - Council of Trent research papers examine the Catholic Church's reaction to the Reformation and the Renaissance.
Guibert of Nogent - This research paper will look into Guibert of Nogent, a French monk in the Benedictine order who authored several books during the Middle Ages.
Ignatius of Antioch - Ignatius of Antioch research papers examine one of the Apostolic Fathers that declared that the Christian Church, taken as a whole, was to be a communal entity.
Jesuit - Jesuits research papers discuss the members of the Society of Jesus, a religious organization within the Catholic Church that was formed in Spain in the 1500s.
Martin Luther and Faith - Martin Luther and Faith research papers focus on Martin Luther and faith, which is essential in understanding his character.
Mexican-American War - Mexican-American War research papers examine the war that was fought from 1846 to 1848 between the United States and its southern neighbor.
Mexican Revolution - Research papers on the Mexican Revolution discuss the event that took place between 1910 and 1920 that radically altered Mexico’s culture and government, and led to the emergence of several colorful rebel leaders, including Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa.
Newman and Luther - Newman and Luther research papers write about the battle between Cardinal Newman and Martin Luther.
Orthodox Churches - Orthodox Churches research papers discuss the origin of the the Orthodox Churches and look into the groups that label themselves as Orthodox Christians.
Pierre Teilhard De Chardin - Pierre Teilhard De Chardin began to teach his own ideas on the original sin and evolution to his Catholic Institute classes after the Roman Catholic Church refused to publish his scientific and theological work.
Priest Pedophile - Priest Pedophile Research Papers go into a difficult issue of pedophilia in the Roman Catholic Church.
Roman Catholicism - Roman Catholicism essays discuss the largest Christian sect in the world practiced by one billion people.
St. Cecilia Catholic Church - St. Cecilia Catholic Church Research Papers examine the physical characteristics of the church, and what happens during a Catholic mass.
Televangelism - Televangelism Research Papers look at different types of religions that use it, and also the history of this technological media.
The Catholic Church - Catholic Church research papers on religions around the world explore the Catholic Church and its influence on world history and religion.
The Catholic Restoration - The Roman Catholic Church is the movement in the Catholic Church that followed the Protestant Reformation and therefore is often called the Counter Reformation.
The Pope and Condoms - The Catholic Church has always maintained a strict position against the use of condoms and contraception until the pope recognized their use for special cases.
Women Clergy - Research papers on Women Clergy look at the differing perspectives on the ordination of women in different religions.