An Estimated 100,000 Flock To Des Plaines To Honor The Virgin Guadalupe
Updated 12/12/11 at 10:00 p.m.
DES PLAINES, Ill. (CBS) -- Thousands of the faithful gathered in Des Plaines Monday for the conclusion of a two-day festival marking the day it is believed the Virgin Guadalupe appeared to a peasant in Mexico.
For many, it was simply chance to kneel in silent prayer, a moment to reflect on the compassion of the patron saint of Mexico.
The faithful stacked a virtual sea of flowers as symbols of their devotion.
The nine-day celebration brought about 100,000 worshippers to Maryville Academy. Police set up a special command post packed with enough equipment to monitor the lines of visitors.
"We had so many pedestrians coming through. At midnight last night, there were times we would stop traffic every minute and you'd have 300 people leaving and 300 people coming," Police Cmdr Tim Veit said.
The story of the Virgin and her divine love is something participating families say they carry with them today and all year.
"We try to show our kids how important it is to be together, to have faith," Jorge Monroy told CBS 2's Pamela Jones.
The shrine was built in 1997 and has been drawing pilgrimages ever since.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports
Podcast
On Sunday, crowds bundled up for a torch run from the shrine to various churches throughout the suburbs.
