Beneath the gaze of Our Lady of Guadalupe stands the Convento de las siervas Guadalupanas. This is a place where faith and history intertwine. Let’s delve into the story of this convent.
The Parish Church of Santa María de Guadalupe, also known as Capuchinas, is a temple and former Capuchin convent. It stands east of the Old Basilica and Temple of Atonement for Christ the King. It is a truly remarkable structure. The parish oversees this temple, the Basilica Baptistery, the Chapel of Promises, the Pocito Chapel and the Old Parish of the Indians Church.
Construction of this temple took place between 1792 and 1797. Ignacio Castera designed it. He is remembered for his work on the Colegio de la Enseñanza and other prominent works.
Initially, the Capuchin mothers of Santa María de Guadalupe used the temple. A convent was founded but it was nationalized and closed in 1863. Throughout its history, the church has housed the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. This happened whenever the sanctuary was closed. The parish notes this occurred from July 10 to December 10 in 1791. It happened again from February 23 to October 2 in 1888.
The building has suffered considerable subsidence over the years. From 1976 to 1982, a major intervention tried to mitigate the damage. Control piles were used to support the foundation. Despite these efforts, some danger of collapse remains. It was closed once before for the same reason in 1800.
The striking central altarpiece of the Church of Santa María de Guadalupe bears an image of the Sacred Family. The circular painting on canvas was done with acrylic paints in 1998.
Not far from here is the Old Parish Church of the Indians. It is the oldest building preserved within the entire Basilica complex. Today the Capuchinas of the Parish Church of Santa Maria de Guadalupe administer it. They also manage the Capilla de Juramentos.
Tradition says that Juan Diego lived in this church. He lived here during the last part of his life between 1531 and 1548. According to tradition, the church housed the original image of the Virgin of Guadalupe from 1695 to 1709. Later it was moved to the old Basilica.
Built around 1649, the church came at the request of the vicar of Guadalupe. This vicar would have printed the Nican Mopohua. It is a Nahuatl narrative of the apparitions of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Antonio Valerian wrote it. The vicar used the church to provide religious services to the indigenous population. A brotherhood of indigenous peoples was established here in 1679.
The church is famous for housing the banner with which Miguel Hidalgo led the Mexican War for Independence. That artifact was kept here from 1853 to 1896. The church deteriorated and remained without a roof until 1998. It was reopened on the 450th anniversary of Juan Diego’s death.
The sacristy of the church contains remains of two previous hermitages. Bishop Zumárraga built one in 1531. Bishop Montúfar replaced it with another in 1556. A third church from 1622 was sometimes called “the coffered ceiling church.” None of that church remains today.
Today the Old Parish Church of the Indians is a loved part of the Parish Church of Santa María. It is often used for special Masses and events.
The Convento de las siervas Guadalupanas stands as a testament to faith, history, and art. It’s a place where you can reflect. It is a space that connects the past with the present.