Chicago-area shrine prepares for Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration amid ICE concerns

Chicago-area shrine prepares for Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration amid ICE concerns

Immigration fears loom, but the Chicago area's annual Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration is still set to draw huge crowds.

DES PLAINES, Ill. - Faithful Catholics are preparing to celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe this Friday. While celebrations are held around the globe, the largest gathering of its kind in the United States unfolds each year in the Chicago suburbs.

This year, some parishioners have expressed fear over participating in the annual pilgrimage amid federal immigration enforcement concerns. Officials at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, however, are reassuring the community that its festivities will be safe.

What we know:

Celebrations are planned for Thursday and Friday at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located at 1170 North River Road in Des Plaines. There, hundreds of thousands of worshippers typically gather over the course of several days to pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Observed around the world, the Feast Day commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Aztec Indian Juan Diego nearly 500 years ago — a particularly meaningful time for the faithful.

"Whatever human experience has come to us, this is a place where they can channel that energy, come to pray, come together and say, 'We are not alone.' We're going to deal with what's coming in 2026 with hope and faith," said the Very Rev. Esequiel Sanchez, director of the shrine.

Shrine officials say they are once again working with local police to ensure the safety of all guests, and they are encouraging people to lean on one another during this time.

"Our task is to keep everybody safe," Sanchez explained. "Our concern isn't just ICE; the concerns are many things when you have a large gathering of people."

Fr. Sanchez urged attendees to think of others who are not planning to attend.

"If you are coming to visit and you know people who, for whatever reason, traditionally would come but this year they can’t, we invite you to knock on their door — go to them, find them — and ask them, ‘Do you have anything for me to pray for?’ Ask them, ‘I’ll take your flowers.’ Tell them, ‘What you can’t do, I’ll carry you with me in my thoughts and in my prayers. I will carry you. We won’t forget you,’" Sanchez said.

Parishioners began bringing flowers and mementos to Our Lady of Guadalupe on Monday in preparation for Feast Day — paying their respects and fulfilling their promises to her.

"No politics, no cold weather, nothing is going to stop us from coming to see her and thanking her for all her good deeds," Antonio Hernandez shared. 

"It's a feeling that is unbelievable. I could go to church, which is good, but when I come over here, it's so strong," added Lawrence Brezinski. "I went to visit my wife, of course, she's over at the cemetery next to us — gotta visit everybody that's up in heaven, it's a special day for me."

What they're saying:

The Dept. of Homeland Security issued this statement on the event: 

"Under Secretary Noem, our brave law enforcement officers are delivering on President Trump's and the American people's mandate to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens to make America safe. Removing dangerous criminals from our streets makes it safer for everyone—including business owners and their customers.

"Those who are not here illegally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear. Elected officials choosing to fearmonger by distorting reality are doing a great disservice to our country and are responsible for the nearly 1,000% increase in assaults on ICE officers.

"Let’s be clear, ICE does NOT target churches or houses of worship," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. 

What's next:

All masses and festivities will be available via livestream on the shrine's website for anyone who is unable to attend this week's festivities in person.