The annual celebration honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe in suburban Des Plaines continued early Friday morning, with pilgrims from across the Chicago area and around thec ountry making their journey to the shrine as part of the two-day celebration of Masses, prayers and more.
“Pilgrims make the annual journey to the Shrine on foot, bike, bus, and car to fulfill or make “mandas” or promises to Our Lady, which they make for a specific need or concern, such as: loss or lack of employment, physical and emotional health, immigration issues, and family unity,” the Archdiocese of Chicago said in a release.
The Shrine’s observance is the largest gathering of pilgrims honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe in the United States, the Chicago Archdiocese said, with hundreds of thousands expected each year. But some on Thursday said attendance appeared to be down as bitter cold temperatures took hold and immigration concerns loomed over the event.
“By this time, it’s pretty full normally,” one attendee told NBC 5’s Natalie Martinez Thursday night.
“This year, in particular, our culture has suffered,” another said. “Our faith is greater than our fear.”
At 11 p.m., “Las Mañanitas,” the traditional serenade to Our Lady of Guadalupe, drew a large crowd, followed by a solemn midnight Mass. A second serenade is scheduled for 7 a.m. Friday, with hours of Masses and prayers to follow before closing events at 7 p.m.
Early Friday some attendees could be seen lining up to visit the Shrine, photos and video showed, with more expected as the celebration continues.
Here’s what to know.
When and where is the Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration?
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s gathering began at 8 p.m. Thursday. It will continue through through 7 p.m. Friday.
The shrine is located at 1170 N. River Rd. in Des Plaines.
The gathering is the largest Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration in the U.S., according to the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Full schedule of events
The two-day celebration will include numerous masses, a serenade known as “Las Mañanitas,” performances and more.
The full list of events is as follows:
Thursday , Dec. 11
12 p.m. Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Plaza)
7 p.m. Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Plaza)
8 p.m. Solemn Opening Mass (Plaza) (Bilingual) (Celebrant: Most Rev. Jeffrey Grob, Archbishop of Milwaukee)
9:30 p.m. Fireworks after Mass (Plaza)
10 p.m. Guadalupe Torch Lighting (Plaza)
11 p.m. Serenade (Mañanitas) (Plaza) (Bilingual)
Friday, Dec. 12
12 a.m. Solemn Midnight Mass (Plaza) (Bilingual)
1 a.m. Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Plaza)
5 a.m. Solemn Mass (Chapel of Saint Joseph) (Bilingual)
7 a.m. Serenade (Mañanitas) (Chapel of Saint Joseph) (Bilingual)
8 a.m. Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Chapel of Saint Joseph)
9 a.m. Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Chapel of Saint Joseph)
10 a.m. Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Chapel of Saint Joseph)
11 a.m. Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Chapel of Saint Joseph)
12 p.m. Solemn Mass (Chapel of Saint Joseph) (Bilingual)
1 p.m. Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Chapel of Saint Joseph)
2 p.m. Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Chapel of Saint Joseph)
3 p.m. Solemn Mass (Chapel of Saint Joseph) (Bilingual)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available in the Marian Chapel from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.4 p.m. Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Chapel of Saint Joseph)
5 p.m. Prayer of the Holy Rosary (Chapel of Saint Joseph)
7 p.m. Solemn Closing Mass (Chapel of Saint Joseph) (Bilingual)
The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed in the Plaza starting at 7 p.m. and will remain exposed throughout the Mass. Reenactment of the Guadalupe Apparitions Grand Raffle winners are announced.Street closures taking effect
The city of Des Plaines warned residents to expect “very large crowds” in the area Thursday and Friday.
Road closures began at 4 p.m. Thursday and continue until about 10 p.m. Friday.
“Business parking lots and roadways off of Central Road between Wolf Road and East River Road are expected to be closed during the event. Residents living in the area or people who have business in the neighborhoods will still have access to closed roads,” the city said in an alert, noting that those who live in the area will need to show ID or speak with staff working the event.
They particularly urged residents to avoid River Road during the pilgrimage.
Here’s the full list of road closures:
Central Road and Timothy Lane (both sides of Central Road) Central Road and ZJ’s Pantry Plus Liquors parking lot entrance corner at Wolf Road and Central Road Central Road and Steve’s Auto parking lot entrance corner at Wolf Road and Central Road Wolf Road and Berkshire Lane Wolf Road and Mark Avenue Wolf Road and Kylemore Drive Wolf Road and Longford Drive Wolf Road and Dursey Lane Central Road and Wolf Road Central Road and Carlow Drive Central Road and Maryville Academy entrance Central Road and River Road Central Road and Oakton College entrance Central Road and East River Road River Road and All Saints Cemetery entrance (both sides) River Road and Golf Center entrance River Road and Gregory StreetParking for the event
According to organizers, there is limited parking on the Sanctuary grounds, which has a $15 fee per vehicle. Parking will be available from 4 p.m. Thursday to 3 a.m. Friday and again from 3-8 p.m. Friday.
There will also be several remote parking lots available with bus service from 6 p.m. Thursday to 3 a.m. Friday. Remote parking locations include:
St. Emily Parish1400 E. Central Rd, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056Parking will be available from 8:00 p.m. on December 11 until 6:30 a.m. on December 12. It will then reopen from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on December 12.Plaza Palwaukee664 Milwaukee Ave, Prospect Heights, IL 60070Parking will be available from 4:00 p.m. on December 11 until 3:00 a.m. on December 12. It will then reopen from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on December 12.Oakton Community College1600 East Golf Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016Parking will be available from 9:00 p.m. on December 11 until 4:00 a.m. on December 12. It will then reopen from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on December 12.
What to know before you go
As in previous years, the wintry forecast in the Chicago area could complicate the journey for those attending the celebration.
Many have also expressed concerns over immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.
“I have been calling on the community to take some courage and come to the pilgrimage,” said Rev. Esiquiel Sanchez.
But, he says, if pilgrims don’t feel safe before any reason, “it’s OK.” Many of the services will be livestreamed.
More than 400 volunteers at the shrine have been trained to be sensitive to current events, he said.
The shrine’s first priority will be the safety of the thousands of pilgrims who will be attending the masses and other services. Uniformed police will be on hand.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security told NBC Chicago on Sunday, “ICE does not raid churches–regardless of if it is holiday season or not.”
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