Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe 2014

Archbishop Blase Cupich celebrated midnight Mass at the Chapel/Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines to welcome in the feast day for Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas on December 11-12. The feast celebrates the appearance of Mary to indigenous peasant St. Juan Diego in 1531 near present-day Mexico City. The celebration is the largest of its kind outside of Mexico. Over 125,000 people were expected for the 2-day event in which many parishes make a pilgrimage by walking, riding bikes and running while carrying a torch lit from a fire at the shrine back to their respective parishes. Also included are photos from the pre-celebration on December 7.