Crowds flock to feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in suburban Chicago
DES PLAINES, Ill. (CBS) -- Fireworks lit up the night sky Monday night in an annual celebration of gratitude in Des Plaines.
It is all a tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe – an apparition of the Virgin Mary who believers say was seen in Guadalupe, Mexico, hundreds of years ago.
As CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reported Monday night, this year's tradition is extra-special.
Some walk miles from the city of Chicago all the way to the Shrine of Our Landy of Guadalupe, at 1170 N. River Rd. in Des Plaines, to give their thanks to the Virgin Mary.
Some crawl on their knees along the cold concrete to get there. Most lay flowers to say thank you for all the blessings they received this year.
"I wanted to come see her and thank her for my life," said Jenniffer Castrejon.
Castrejon and her family received blessings at the door. They came to say thank you for blessings they have received all year.
"My 25th birthday is coming up, so that's a big milestone in my opinion," Castrejon said.
Others followed them - carrying photos, flowers, and candles to lay at the foot of the shrine – in what is one of the largest annual gatherings in honor of the Virgin Mary outside of Mexico.
"We're going to have a river of people," said Deacon Salvador Medina.
The missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was brought in from Mexico in 1986 to display at its current site on the grounds of Maryville Academy.
Earlier this year, an act of arson charred the outdoor Chapel of the Resurrected Christ at the shrine. It has since been rebuilt.
"No matter what other people think , and no matter what they do, our faith keeps things strong," said Deacon Medina.
The Archdiocese of Chicago was ready to welcome the thousands that came through to pray the rosary, to celebrate mass, and to commemorate the appearance of the Virgin Mary to St. Juan Diego in 1531.
"Every year, I come," one man said.
During the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, they came to reflect and express gratitude - as a family tradition.
Janeth, from Gurnee, said she was grateful for the simple blessing of "being able to wake up every day."
Around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Archdiocese expects to see the pilgrims who walked miles from the city of Chicago to arrive at the shrine. The celebration will continue into the night, morning, and all day Tuesday.
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