DES PLAINES, Ill. (WLS) -- Thousands of people are making a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines starting Thursday, despite the bitter cold temperatures.

Organizers call it an event designed to inspire faith and hope, and it happens every year.

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The pilgrimage has already begun, drawing a steady stream of visitors .

"We have spent so many months and weeks in preparation just to be able to welcome hundreds of thousands of people and Our Lady of Guadalupe is ready to receive you with open arms," media volunteer Andy Lepe said.

The celebration spanning 24 hours typically draws as many as 300,000 people from across the country.

"The Virgin Guadalupe has done a lot of miracles for me," Jose Beltran, who li

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