The sanctuary's history begins in 1542 when
Father Miguel de Bologna, a Spanish priest,
brought a statue of the Virgin of the
Immaculate Conception to the village. The town
was then called San Juan Mezquititlan Baptist
but its name was changed to San Juan de Los Lagos
in 1623.[3] According to local legends, that year the
daughter of some local Indian peasants fell ill, her
parents prayed for her health, and the young girl r
covered. Following this miracle, the statue began
to be venerated by an increasing number of pilgrims
including Indians, Spanish and mestizos. During this
period the statue acquired its own local identity as
Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos. Between the
early 17th century and the middle of the 19th century
a pilgrimage fair was held each year on November 30 to
celebrate the original installation of the statue in the shrine.