More than 200 members of Club Los Vaqueros Unidos (United Cowboys Club) from the Chicago area make their way to place roses at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines on Dec. 1, 2018. The annual horseback pilgrimage leads up to two days of festivities Dec. 11-12, when more than 100,000 people make a pilgrimage to the shrine for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The feast celebrates the appearance of Mary to indigenous peasant St. Juan Diego in 1531 near present-day Mexico City.
Hundreds of thousands flock to shrine in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Each year, one of the largest gatherings of Catholics in the United States happens right here in the Archdiocese of Chicago. It’s the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines Dec. 11-12 for the feast day.
Dec. 12: 'Queen of people's hearts,' Our Lady of Guadalupe "Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of Mexico, Empress of the Americas." This grand title, found on traditional banners celebrating the Virgin of Guadalupe, highlights her widespread impact throughout this continent.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine prepares for pilgrims The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines is preparing to welcome about 300,000 pilgrims from across the Midwest for their feast-day devotions Dec. 11 and 12, according to Father Esequiel Sanchez, the shrine’s rector.