Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12
In December 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac, near Mexico City, speaking his own language. Her image on his cloak is kept in the Basilica of Guadalupe, the most visited Marian shrine in the world. She is the patroness of the Americas.
On the U.S. liturgical calendar, December 12 is a feast: Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Name days on December 12
In countries that keep name days, December 12 is the day for people named Guadalupe and Lupe. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Guadalupe | December 12 |
| Lupe | December 12 |
December 12 on the calendar
December 12 is the 346th day of the year (the 347th in a leap year), with 19 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday |
| 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | Thursday |
Keeping December 12
December 12 falls during Advent. As a feast, it is kept by the whole Church with its own readings and the Gloria at Mass. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Guadalupe and Lupe, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around December 12
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| December 9 | St. Juan Diego |
| December 10 | Our Lady of Loreto |
| December 11 | St. Damasus I |
| December 13 | St. Lucy |
| December 14 | St. John of the Cross |
| December 15 | St. Nino of Georgia |
The day before, December 11, is the day of St. Damasus I. The day after, December 13, belongs to St. Lucy. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.