Celebrating annual Our Lady of Guadalupe, posada traditions

Photos from the annual "antorcha Guadalupana," Guadalupe torch run, on the eve of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, Dec. 11. Tens of thousands of people participate in this overnight celebration honoring Mary at the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine in Des Plaines. Masses and devotions were prayed throughout Dec. 11 and 12 around the archdiocese for the feast day. Left, Father Marco Mercado blesses the fire at the shrine that would light the torches.
Maria and Jose Rodriguez cuddle to stay warm. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Enedia Romero, Cindy Rangel and Ramiro Chavez hold onto items to be blessed by a priest. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Torch runners wait to recive a blessing. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Torch runners make their way through the crowds. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Fr. Manuel Dorantes, Associate Pastor of Saint Clement Parish in Chicago gives a blessing to a man who walked to the shrine on his knees. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Fr. Marco Mercado, director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics, blesses the newly-lit fire before the torch runners proceed to light their torches. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Fr. Mercado blesses the people gathered outside of the shrine. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
(Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
(Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Bishop Alberto Rojas, Auxiliary Bishop Archdiocese of Chicago, incenses the altar during the opening Mass. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
(Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Father Manuel Dorantes of St. Clement Parish, prays during the opening Mass. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
(Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
Bishop Rojas prepares to bless the gifts during the opening Mass. (Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
(Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
(Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)
(Karen Callaway / Catholic New World)

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