The perplexed Indian left the bishop's presence resolved to avoid further molestation from his spiritual acquaintance, by taking another route; yet, when near the place of his first meeting, he again encountered the apparition, who, hearing the result of his mission, ordered him to climb a naked rock hard by, and collect a bouquet of flowers which he would find growing there. Juan Diego, albeit without faith, obeyed, when, to his surprise he found the flowers referred to, and brought them to the Virgin, who, throwing them into his _tilma_, commanded him to carry them to the bishop; saying, [Pg040] "When he sees these he will believe, as he well knows that flowers do not bloom at this season, much less upon that barren rock." The humble messenger now with more courage sought the bishop's presence, and threw out the blooming credentials of his mission before him; when lo! to the astonishment of all, and to the entire conviction of his _Senoría ilustrísima_, the perfect image of the apparition appeared imprinted on the inside of the _tilma_.[13] The reverend Prelate now fully acknowledged the divinity of the picture, and in a {249} conclave of ecclesiastics convened for the purpose, he pronounced it the image of _La verdadera Vírgen_ and protectress of Mexico. A splendid chapel was soon after erected upon the spot designated in the mandate, in which the miraculous painting was deposited, where it is preserved to the present day. In the suburbs of every principal city in the republic, there is now a chapel specially dedicated to _Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe_, where coarse resemblances of the original picture are to be seen. Rough paintings of the same, of various dimensions, are also to be met with in nearly every dwelling, from the palace to the most miserable hovel. The image, with an adapted [Pg041] motto, has also been stamped upon medals, which are swung about the necks of the faithful.[14] [Illustration] {250} As a further confirmation of the miracle, it is also told, that when Juan Diego returned to his home, he found his relative in good health--that he had suddenly risen from the last extremity about the time of the former's meeting with the Virgin.