Pilgrims Gather in Des Plaines for Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration
Thousands Attend Two-Day Pilgrimage in Des Plaines
Thousands of Catholics, mostly Latinos, gathered on Thursday at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, Illinois, for the annual pilgrimage marking the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The event began on Thursday as the start of a two-day celebration of the Virgin Mary at what is described as the largest celebration in the United States honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Participants braved cold temperatures and concerns about an ongoing federal immigration crackdown in the Chicago area to attend the pilgrimage. Many visitors left flowers, lit candles, prayed, and sang at the shrine as part of the religious observance.
Longstanding Tradition at the Des Plaines Shrine
The pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines has been an annual tradition since 2014. The celebration is tied to the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which Catholics trace back to 1531, when they believe the Virgin Mary appeared before Saint Juan Diego in Mexico and left an image of herself on his cloak.
This year’s event marked the first pilgrimage to the shrine for Carol Lopez and her daughter, Marina. Other attendees, including Arcelia Maya and Noelia Vargas, have made the pilgrimage for several years.
Immigration Crackdown Raises Attendance Concerns
Some participants stated that an ongoing federal immigration crackdown in the Chicago area has affected attendance at the Des Plaines pilgrimage. Maya and Vargas said that the event, which is normally very crowded, appeared less full this year.
Vargas said that some people who usually make the trip reported they were staying home because they were scared about the federal immigration crackdown. Many visitors also said there is a growing fear that federal agents could appear in Des Plaines during the celebration.
Attendees Express Fears and Gratitude
Marina Lopez said that people coming to the shrine deserve to feel safe and noted that she and others were afraid that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) might be present at the site. She said it was scary to know that many attendees felt they were risking themselves by coming to visit the shrine.
Ashley Ramirez of Chicago said that concerns about immigration enforcement have discouraged some people from attending the pilgrimage in person. She said she believes that fear has led some usual attendees to stay home and watch the celebration on television or observe it privately instead.
Ramirez also said she attended the event to express gratitude for blessings over the year. She referred to months of heavy immigration enforcement in the Chicago area and said her thoughts and prayers included hopes for changes related to immigration actions.
Federal Agency States Policy on Places of Worship
The Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE does not target churches or places of worship. The two-day celebration at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines is scheduled to continue on Friday, coinciding with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.