DES PLAINES – The Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Des Plaines will celebrate a bilingual Mass this Saturday, August 20, dedicated to families who have lost a child.
This mass of healing and hope will be at 1 pm in the open-air plaza and officiated by the Reverend Manuel Dorantes, strategic adviser to the Vatican Dicastery for Communication and Pastor of the Santa María del Lago y Nuestra Señora de Lourdes Parish.
It should be noted that together with Reverend Dorantes, Reverend Esequiel Sánchez and Reverend Jesús Puentes will concelebrate this mass.
“Families who have suffered the loss of a child are invited to come together in faith and heal from the pain of death. During the Mass, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be administered to both mothers and fathers who have lost a child,” the Archdiocese of Chicago said in a statement.
According to the Archdiocese, the purpose of the Mass is to advocate healing and hope for the loss of all children, including those lost due to abortions, miscarriages, illness, accidents and violence.
“The loss of a child at any stage is a tragedy that has painful emotional ramifications no matter when or how the loss occurred,” said Father Sánchez. “Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint and an inspiration for the pro-life movement and, here at the Shrine, we meet daily with families who come to mourn the loss of children and family members in all stages of life and for all the causes,” he continued.
After Mass, during the coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, attendees will have the opportunity to offer a red or white rose to the Blessed Mother as a symbol of purity, innocence, and forgiveness. Each flower will have a label with the words “my little angel” and “Angelito or Angelita” symbolizing the lost child.
According to the staff of the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe, these are the activities that will take place this Saturday in the following order:
11 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.: Performance by vocalists and dance groups
12pm: The noon Holy Rosary will be prayed in English, Spanish, Polish, Italian, Hindi and Tagalog.
1 pm: Solemn mass to be celebrated in the open-air square followed by the coronation of the Virgin Mary
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Mariachi Pearl of Mexico
Heather’s House (Aid for Woman) and Respect Life Ministry from St. Mary and St. Stephen Parish in Des Plaines will man the information tables at the Shrine and will be present throughout the day. Heather’s House is a maternity home, part of the Aid for Women organization, supporting all pregnant women who choose to keep their babies. People can reach them through their 24-hour helpline at 312-621-1100 or by text at 312-880-9840.
Those who cannot go to the Sanctuary in person, will be able to tune in to the Holy Rosary at noon and the mass in the following link.
Sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe will celebrate a solemn mass for families who have lost a child