Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan

The Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan (Spanish: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Zapopan) and the abbey of Our Lady of Expectation of Zapopan are a 17th-century Franciscan sanctuary built in downtown Zapopan, in the state of Jalisco, México.

It is one of the most visited sanctuaries in Western Mexico, and it preserves a wooden Virgin that is considered a valuable relic of medieval origin, which came from Spain to New Galicia in the 16th century. The Huichol Museum is located in the building.

The church complex belongs to the Franciscan province of Sts. Francis and James (Francisco y Santiago), that includes Jalisco, Monterrey, Guanajuato, and Zacatecas. Affiliated with the church is a retirement home of the Valle de la Misericordia (Valley of Mercy).

The abbey is made up of members of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor, though it is also used by the Capuchin, Third order, Society of Saint Francis, the Clarisse, and Franciscan sisters. It has also worked with the Dominicans and the Franciscan Youth (Youfra) of Roch.

The Virgin of Zapopan is also known as Our Lady of Expectation. She is also referred to as La Generala or the Zapopanita. In 1734, she was proclaimed Patroness against storms and lightning. The statue stays in Guadalajara from June 13 to October 12. After Mexico became independent in 1821, the Virgin was proclaimed Patroness of the State of Jalisco.

She was canonically crowned on 18 January 1921, in a ceremony that included presenting the keys to the city of Guadalajara.

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