Joyful Mystery #1

The First Joyful Mystery is usually referred to, in English, as The Annunciation. The depiction portrays the Virgin Mary learning from the Archangel Gabriel that was been chosen to be the mother of Jesus. Remarkably consistent across Western cultures, the compositions usually includes the Archangel Gabriel on the left, and the Virgin Mary on the right.

Historically, it’s probably most famously been depicted by Fra Angelico for the San Marco Convent, or that in the collection of the Prado Museum, completed for the church in Fiesole. The theme appears throughout the history of Christian Art since at least the 4th century.

This first Mystery on the Calzada de los Misterios stands within the Colonia Ex-Hipodromo de Peralvillo. It faces the streets of Gonoud and Mascagni, named for historic composers. But this side of Misterios was broadened in 1999. More recently, while upgrading the street for the Metrobus Line 7, it was outfitted with more pedestrian space and benches for those walking.

This Mystery, like eight others of the total 15, was begun in 1675 under the direction of Cristóbal de Medina Vargas. The remaining seven mysteries were recreated in 1999 in anticipation of a visit by Pope John Paul II to Mexico City. But all of the works, recreated or not, provide insight into the lives and thinking of the millions of pilgrims who visited the Basilica over the many centuries of its existence.

Since then, they’ve become a good reason to stroll the entirety of the Calzada de los Misterios.