Basilica of Guadalupe opens jubilee year marking 50 years of its new church

The Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe in Mexico City opened its Guadalupan Jubilee Year on October 12, marking the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the New Basilica. Pope Leo XIV granted the jubilee through the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican office that deals with indulgences. Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, the archbishop of Mexico City, presided at the ceremony. The jubilee runs until October 12, 2027, and during that time the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence under the conditions set by the Church.

The date brings together three moments in Guadalupan devotion: the pontifical coronation of the image, authorized by Pope Leo XIII and celebrated in 1895; the transfer of the sacred image from the Old Basilica to the new building on October 12, 1976; and the opening of this jubilee half a century later. The opening procession recalled that history. It carried the original crown from 1895, a diadem given by Pope Francis in 2016, a rose sent by Pope Leo XIV and the key used to open the New Basilica 50 years ago.

Cardinal Aguiar Retes's homily

At the Mass, Aguiar Retes took as his starting point the Gospel of Luke (19:41-44), where Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. From that passage he urged those present to recognize the moment of grace, using the words of the Lord: "If this day you understood what can lead you to peace." He said the presence of Mary is not an ornament but a sign of hope, because "today is an opportunity to remember that we have a mother who has revealed to us the true God for whom one lives."

Bishops, priests, religious sisters, religious brothers and lay people prayed together around the sacred image. The prayer went through the mysteries of Guadalupan devotion and recalled Mary's meeting with her cousin Elizabeth. A question was put to the Virgin of Tepeyac: "What did you see in these lands that made you come to Tepeyac?" The assembly answered: "Without doubt, the faith of our ancestors and your lasting desire to go on, generation after generation, making your Son Jesus known to us."

The pope's message

A message from Pope Leo XIV, read during the celebration, asked the Mexican people to renew their mission of evangelization. The pope encouraged them to mark the anniversary in spiritual union with Mary, "Mother of the true God for whom one lives," and to give thanks for the Christian roots that have shaped the history and the faith of the Mexican people.

He called on the faithful to continue that mission with renewed fervor, so that "the light of the Word of God, the consolation of the sacraments and the help of prayer may reach everyone, and that charitable and fraternal help for those most in need may never be lacking." He invoked the maternal protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe on all those present and gave his apostolic blessing.

The roots of the jubilee

The jubilee of the New Basilica goes back to the desire expressed to St. Juan Diego: "I greatly want, I greatly desire that they build my sacred little house here." From then on, Tepeyac became a place where people came for consolation and brought their hopes to the Virgin. As pilgrimages kept growing, a building able to hold large crowds was needed.

On October 12, 1976, the sacred image was solemnly moved to the New Basilica, which 50 years later still receives those who seek the love and tenderness of a Mother. The events of the Jubilee Year included the Mass of the Roses, the solemn opening of the Holy Door, the Archdiocesan Rosary and a commemorative concert.