Contact: Andrew Burgess, 277-6361 Media Contact: Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, 277-5915

Dec. 2, 2002 UNM EVENT EXPLORES SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE In a year that marked the canonization of Juan Diego, the spiritual and cultural significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe is attracting significant attention. The University of New Mexico Religious Studies Program, Aquinas Newman Center and the Guadalupe Institute are hosting a public observance of the Feast Day of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Aquinas Newman Center, 1815 Las Lomas Blvd N.E. Fr. Francisco Miranda will give a presentation "Dos Cultos Fundades" (Two Foundational Devotions). A leading Mexican scholar of the religious and historical aspects of the apparition of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Father Miranda is from the Colegio de Michoacán in Mexico City. University of New Mexico Professor of History Linda Hall will present "The Virgin of Guadalupe as National and International Symbol." Hall has studied the place of Our Lady in Mexican and Southwest history and published extensively on the subject. Discussion and light refreshments will follow the presentations. ###

The University of New Mexico
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