More than 200,000 pilgrims attend Our Lady of Guadalupe festivities

Father Eseqiuel Sanchez, rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, blesses the fire that will be used to light torches for runners to carry back to their parishes for early morning Masses for the Dec. 12 feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Dec. 11 torch-lighting is part of of two days of festivities at the shrine, which were attended by more than 200,000 people. It is largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Eseqiuel Sanchez, rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, lights torches for runners to carry back to their parishes for early morning Masses for the Dec. 12 feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Dec. 11 torch-lighting is part of of two days of festivities at the shrine, which were attended by more than 200,000 people. It is largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Torch bearers light torches at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines for runners to carry back to their parishes for early morning Masses for the Dec. 12 feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Dec. 11 torch-lighting is part of of two days of festivities at the shrine, which were attended by more than 200,000 people. It is largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)light torches for runners to carry back to their parishes for early morning Masses for the Dec. 12 feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Dec. 11 torch-lighting is part of of two days of festivities at the shrine, which were attended by more than 200,000 people. It is largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

The faithful braved snow and frigid temperatures to participate in the opening Mass and events celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines on Dec. 11. More than 200,000 were expected to arrive for the 2-day event which is the largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

The faithful braved snow and frigid temperatures to participate in the opening Mass and events celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines on Dec. 11. More than 200,000 were expected to arrive for the 2-day event which is the largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

The faithful braved snow and frigid temperatures to participate in the opening Mass and events celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines on Dec. 11. More than 200,000 were expected to arrive for the 2-day event which is the largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

With large statues of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe above them, volunteers stack bouquets of flowers that pilgrims brought to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines Dec. 11. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Volunteers stack bouquets of flowers that pilgrims brought to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines Dec. 11. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

The faithful braved snow and frigid temperatures to participate in the opening Mass and events celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines on Dec. 11. More than 200,000 were expected to arrive for the 2-day event which is the largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Mass is celebrated at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines on Dec. 11. More than 200,000 were expected to arrive for the 2-day event which is the largest gathering for the feast of Our Lady of Guadaluoe outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Esequiel Sanchez celebrates Mass Dec. 11 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. More than 200,000 were expected to arrive for the 2-day event which is the largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

The faithful braved snow and frigid temperatures to participate in the opening Mass and events celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines on Dec. 11. More than 200,000 were expected to arrive for the 2-day event which is the largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Esequiel Sanchez celebrates Mass Dec. 11 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. More than 200,000 were expected to arrive for the 2-day event which is the largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Esequiel Sanchez celebrates Mass Dec. 11 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. More than 200,000 were expected to arrive for the 2-day event which is the largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Esequiel Sanchez celebrates Mass Dec. 11 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. More than 200,000 were expected to arrive for the 2-day event which is the largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Thousands of pilgrims brought roses as a tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe to her shrine in Des Plaines Dec. 11. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

The faithful braved snow and frigid temperatures to participate in the opening Mass and events celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines on Dec. 11. More than 200,000 were expected to arrive for the 2-day event which is the largest gathering for the feast day outside of Mexico City. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)