DES PLAINES, Ill. (WLS) – Hundreds of thousands of Catholics are expected to make a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines this week.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is Mexico’s representation of the Virgin Mary. In times of crisis, supporters turn to her.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Each year, the sanctuary in Des Plaines hosts the largest gathering of its kind outside of Mexico.

Celebrations were well underway over the weekend as more than 950 riders rode from Northbrook to the shrine in Des Plaines as a sign of devotion and respect. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Catholic holiday celebrating the Virgin Mary.

These celebrations officially begin on Wednesday evening with an opening mass at 8 p.m. followed by fireworks.

And then the next day, on Thursday, it will be mostly a full day of prayer before the final Mass in the evening.

Church leaders are also preparing for freezing temperatures.

But the cold doesn’t seem to deter people.

However, those who came on Monday were happy that they only had to endure 50 degrees Celsius.

There is already a steady stream of people coming to pray and show their devotion.

SEE ALSO: Worshipers arrive at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, marking the first celebration since the Des Plaines arson

The shrine is already surrounded by flowers. 300,000 people are expected to come for the pilgrimage on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Whatever they are going through, it is far more intense than any temperature we can throw at them,” said the Rev. Esequiel Sanchez.

Sanchez knows the pilgrimage will not be easy for many. He said people are coming from Washington and California to Texas and New York.

“What beats the cold for us is what’s going on inside them, what’s going on in their hearts. So when they come to this, you know, 20 degree temperature here, there has to be something much more intense in their heart than just the temperature that’s affecting them. And that’s the miracle you can see,” Sanchez said.

Although there is a warming center on site, those making the trip are advised to be prepared, traveling with a group, knowing their routes and wearing lots of layers. Many will walk for miles, some on their knees, to pray to Our Lady of Guadalupes.

“I have been coming here every week since I was diagnosed with bladder cancer five years ago. So I never missed a week. I pray to her all the time and I feel like she gives me strength,” said Chicagoan Mary Capello.

Families, young and old, take part. Some pass traditions from one generation to the next. Mundelein resident Amy Silva said her faith began with her grandmother and she now shares it with her babies.

“More than anything, I want to say ‘thank you’ to her because I just had my newborn and it was very important to me because I knew she was with me,” Silva said.

Sanchez also makes it clear that everyone is welcome this week.

He said there would be significant security measures in place but police were only there to assist with the significant impact on traffic and to keep people safe.