Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of St. John of the Lakes |
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| Catedral Basílica de Nuestra Señora de San Juan de los Lagos | |
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| Location | San Juan de los Lagos |
| Country |  Mexico |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Tradition | Roman Rite |
| History | |
| Dedication | Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos |
| Architecture | |
| Groundbreaking | 30 November 1732 |
| Completed | 1769 |
The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of St. John of the Lakes is a very important Catholic church in Mexico. It is also known as San Juan de los Lagos Cathedral. You can find it in the city of San Juan de los Lagos, in the state of Jalisco. This church is a special place for many people.
It is the second most visited church in Mexico. More than 7 million people visit it every year! Only the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe gets more visitors. People come here to honor a special statue of the Virgin Mary. A Franciscan friar named Miguel de Bolonia gave this statue to the city in 1542. Many people believe the statue has performed miracles for a very long time.
The church celebrates several important days. December 8 is the main feast day, honoring the Immaculate Conception. Other big celebrations happen on February 2 (Candlemas) and August 15 (Assumption of the Virgin Mary). The entire month of May is also a special time with many parades and events.
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History of the Cathedral
The first small church was built in 1642 by Diego de Camarena. Today, this spot is called the Chapel of the First Miracle. Later, in 1682, a second church was finished. This building is now the parish of San Juan Bautista.
The current large cathedral was built between 1732 and 1769. Bishop Carlos Cervantes of Guadalajara helped make this happen. In 1972, Pope Paul VI officially made it a cathedral. This means it became the main church for the local Catholic area.
What the Cathedral Looks Like
The outside of the church has a beautiful Spanish Baroque style. This style is known for its fancy and detailed decorations. Inside, the church has a Latin cross shape. Its ceilings have Gothic moldings, which are decorative patterns.
The Miraculous Image
The special statue of the Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos is placed under a canopy. This canopy is a beautiful, round structure supported by columns. The statue itself is inside a case made of metal and glass. A silver dome covers this case. At the very top of the dome, there is a figure of the Holy Spirit. A skilled artist named Epitacio Garabito made these silver parts.
Main Altar and Art
The main altar is a very important part of the church. Above the canopy, there is a large, half-circle shaped area. In the middle of this area is a wonderful sculpture of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Victoriano Acuña, a talented sculptor, created this piece. On the sides of the altar, you can see statues of Saint Joseph and Saint John the Baptist.
The church also has special pictures called the Stations of the Cross. These pictures are framed in silver. In the sacristy, which is a room where priests prepare, there are four paintings. People believe these paintings were made by a famous artist named Rubens.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral basílica de Nuestra Señora de San Juan de los Lagos para niños
- Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle
- Roman Catholicism in Mexico
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady
