Catholics arrived at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines on Sunday ahead of a pilgrimage paying homage to the patron saint of the Americas.
Thousands participating in the pilgrimage, the largest honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe in the U.S., are expected to arrive at the shrine for its annual celebration, which begins at 8 p.m. Monday. Considered one of the most significant cultural and religious observances in the world, the event marks the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Virgin Mary. According to the Catholic faith, the Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego, a peasant who later became a saint, on Dec. 12, 1531.
Abigail Gonzalez stopped at the Shrine on Sunday along with her mother, Betty, who makes a point to visit every year.
"It grew to me since I was little," Betty Guevara said. "I always believed in her. I had so many miracles in my life that I had to go through. I always prayed and had faith in her and I know it came true."
The shrine in Des Plaines was covered in flowers and candles, like it usually is around this time every year. People come from across Illinois - and the country - for different reasons. Some show up to express gratitude, while others ask for help.
This year, the theme of the celebration is peace and unity.
"Every year we actually do this," Luiz Chavez, another visitor. "For me, I feel blessed. That’s how I feel. Especially my dad, my family, and everyone else here."
Local
Despite the cold, many were out on Sunday snapping photos, laying flowers and lighting candles all in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
"We brought her a candle. We bring flowers," said Guevara. "For me, I teach her and my little ones, it’s important."
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While hundreds of people filed through on Sunday, it was just the start. Officials were expecting more than 200,000 people through Tuesday.
The procession to Des Plaines will be televised on Telemundo Chicago and NBC 5 Chicago. The schedule of events can be found below:
MONDAY, DECEMBER 11
“Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe 2023” – Live, local celebratory coverage (Noticiero Telemundo Chicago at 4pm, 4:30pm and 5pm) – Noticiero Telemundo Chicago will deliver live team coverage of this year’s “Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe” celebrations in Illinois and Indiana with on-site remote editions of its afternoon newscasts. Anchors Alfonso Gutiérrez and Anabel Monge, along with reporters Jorge DeSantiago and Iris Berríos, will be live at The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, Ill., while Ivon Espitia will deliver live updates from The Shrine of Christ’s Passion (Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza) in St. John, Ind.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12
“Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe 2023” – Live, local celebratory coverage (Noticiero Telemundo Chicago at 4pm, 4:30pm and 5pm) – Noticiero Telemundo Chicago continues its live team coverage of this year’s “Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe” celebration on its grandest day of importance. Zully Ramírez and Hernán Fratto will anchor the news from Des Plaines with Jose Gonzalez providing on-site reports. Ivon Espitia will once again deliver live reports from St. John, Ind. NOTE: Additional “Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe” coverage will be featured on multiple morning/afternoon/evening editions of Noticiero Telemundo Chicago and NBC 5 News beginning on Wed, Dec. 6.
EXPANDED DIGITAL / SOCIAL COVERAGE…
MONDAY, DECEMBER 11
8:00 PM (LIVE – Opening Mass) Misa Solemne de Apertura (Plaza) (Bilingüe)
9:30 PM (LIVE – Fireworks after Mass) Fuegos artificiales después de Misa (Plaza)
11:00 PM (LIVE – Traditional birthday serenade) Mañanitas (Plaza) (Bilingüe)
12:00 AM (LIVE – Midnight Mass) Misa de Gallo
(NOTE: The 8 p.m. “Misa Solemne de Apertura” opening mass will live stream on the NBC Chicago News 24/7 live streaming channel; all content to live stream on TelemundoChicago.com, Telemundo Chicago “app” and the Telemundo Chicago “app” on Roku and Amazon Fire)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12
7:00 AM (LIVE – Traditional birthday serenade) Mañanitas (Capilla de San José) (Bilingüe)
7:00 PM (LIVE – Closing Mass) Misa Solemne de Clausura (Capilla de San José) (Bilingüe)
(NOTE: All content to live stream on TelemundoChicago.com, Telemundo Chicago “app” and the Telemundo Chicago “app” on Roku and Amazon Fire)
SOCIAL MEDIA
Expanded “Our Lady of Guadalupe” social media coverage, featuring a multitude of “Sights & Sounds” moments, will be featured on the following social platforms:
- Instagram/IG Stories (@telemundochicago / @nbcchicago)
- Facebook (TelemundoChicago / nbcchicago)
- TikTok (@nbcchicago)
