Pilgrim Mother statue arrives in northwest suburbs for monthlong display

Sculpture of Pilgrim Mother arrives at suburban shrine

The faithful in the northwest suburbs are celebrating the arrival of the Pilgrim Mother, a life-sized sculpture brought from Mexico City.

DES PLAINES - Thousands of faithful parishioners gathered in the northwest suburbs on Wednesday to celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrim Mother, a life-sized sculpture brought from Mexico City.

The traveling exhibit has officially made its debut at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, where it will remain through the end of September. 

What we know:

The sculpture, which was kept under wraps until its official unveiling, arrived from Mexico City on Wednesday afternoon. It was assembled inside the Chapel of St. Joseph before visitors got their first look Wednesday night.

The Pilgrim Mother’s installation in Des Plaines marks the first stop on an international tour, which includes visits to the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Colombia.

"We work five years – five years with artists, musicians, with paint," said Martín Achirica, the exhibit's creator. 

After years of designing, creating, and perfecting the 3D replica of the Virgin Mary, Achirica is overjoyed to see his creation come to life. 

"This is the time of peace, the time of love, no more war," Achirica said. 

Altogether, the display weighs more than 3,000 pounds. 

It is meant to evoke what Juan Diego felt when the Virgin Mary appeared to him in 1531. The experience will build up to the 500th anniversary of the apparitions on Tepeyac Hill in 2031. 

"As though you were Juan Diego, what he saw is what you're going to see. That's what the hope is, to say that you have an encounter the way he did, and that you open your heart the way he did," explained Very Rev. Esequiel Sanchez, director of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

What they're saying:

On Wednesday evening, Sanchez led an opening mass on the plaza, drawing visitors from near and far. 

"I feel like we're all very honored to be the first to see [the Pilgrim Mother]," said Adriana Lopez, a parishioner. 

Before the outdoor Mass, the sculpture arrived in crates and was carefully assembled inside the Chapel of St. Joseph, away from public view.

"I currently have a necklace of the Virgin Mary, so we've always been so excited when new things come out of her. It's like something that we always feel very close to," Lopez added.  

Likewise, Guadalupe Morales feels a special connection to the Pilgrim Mother.

"They honored me with her name," Morales said. 

She attended the celebration with her own mom on Wednesday evening to reflect.

"This means a lot to us, especially with everything going on in the world," Morales said.  

Organizers — and the shrine's director — said the timing of the Pilgrim Mother's arrival is especially significant as immigration concerns weigh heavily on many families.

"It's a pilgrimage of hope for her because many people can't travel," Sanchez said. "Kind of extending the hand that we're more than just where we live, neighbors are neighbors nearby, but also countries are neighbors too. We have to learn to say, look at the humanity of things rather than just the policy."

What's next:

The Pilgrim Mother's exhibit will remain at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe until Sept. 30 before continuing to St. Gall Parish on the Chicago's South Side (5511 S. Sawyer Ave.) from October 1-14. 

Afterward, it will visit the Mother of the Americas Parish, located at 3047 W. Cermak Road from October 15-28.

The Pilgrim Mother will then continue to other U.S. cities, before traveling to other countries, including the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Colombia. 

The experience is open to the public, though guests are asked to register online in advance. 

More than 4,000 people have already signed up to visit the Pilgrim Mother in Des Plaines.