Photos

Guadalupe shrine breaks ground on new entrance

Father Esequiel Sanchez, rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, leads a prayer service and groundbreaking for the new entrance to the shrine on Aug. 1, 2021. The shrine launched a campaign in May “Raising the Doors of the Guadalupano Heart!” to raise $800,000 for the new entrance designed in a colonial style with archways for pilgrims to walk through. Over 2 million people visit the shrine each year. This fall, a new entrance will greet them when they arrive. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The current entrance to the shrine. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
People extend their hands in prayer over the entrance site. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Sanchez leads the congregation in prayer. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Sanchez blesses the entrance with holy water. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Sanchez is first up for taking a swing with a sledgehammer at the old entrance. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Jesus Puentes, associate rector of the shrine, takes a swing at the old entrance. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Manuel Padilla, vice-rector of the shrine, takes a swing at the old entrance. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Sister Adriana Galay, pastoral associate, signs the sledgehammer. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Ramón Velázquez signs the sledgehammer. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Juan Ramirez, a member of the development committee, signs the sledgehammer used in the groundbreaking. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A worker starts to break down the entrance. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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