The Virgin appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 at Tepeyac near Mexico City. On the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, celebrated on the 12th of December each year, Dr. Michael LaRosa, Associate professor of History at Rhodes College will discuss the history, appearance, and socio-cultural significance of the Virgin of Guadalupe for the Mexican nation, and, by extension, for all of Latin America.

He will be joined by Prof. Bernadette McNary-Zak from the Religious Studies Department at Rhodes College who will talk about apparitions, Virgin births and the whole concept of "the virgin" in Catholic identity and culture.