v/ guatemala

One of the best-known stories of the century-old image... 

of La Virgen de los Pobres de la Iglesia de San Francisco

in Guatemala City...

was carried out by Bishop Fray Juan Bautista Álvarez de Toledo [+1775]. 

As a result of its return to the Church of San Francisco, the virgin was received under the invocation of 'Our Lady of the Poor' since there was an ecclesiastical provision that prohibited two images of the same invocation from being venerated in the same temple, and in its place there was already one of the Immaculate Conception, that came from Spain.

Before taking possession of the bishopric, Fray Juan Bautista walked through the temple and always contemplated the wonderful sculpture. At every opportunity, the religious said to the image: 'Virgin of the Poor, if you make me a bishop, I will be your bishop delicious'. 

Over time, the miracle was fulfilled, and Álvarez de Toledo did become Bishop of Guatemala. 

However, he forgot the promise made to the Virgin.

Years later Bishop Álvarez de Toledo visited the church again...

and when the church was closed, he visited the altarpieces, and suddenly heard a loud voice that told him 'Remember the Poor One!'. 

The frightened bishop searched throughout the temple for who had shouted, but found that there was no one in the room. At that moment he remembered the promise he made to the Virgin of the Poor.

He immediately ordered to bring from Spain a beautiful gold-embroidered garment, a gilded silver crown and a rich girdle made of gold threads being thicker than any image. 

These last two pieces are still preserved. 

At the same time the image was declared... 

the Sworn Patron Saint of Arms of Guatemala.

[bron]