The Pilgrim Mother (Madre Peregrina) statue is a life-sized statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe created by Mexican artist Jorge Ismael Rodriguez. The statue, faithful to the miraculous image of Our Lady that was imprinted on St. Juan Diego's tilma (cloak), has been touring the world in anticipation of the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe's apparitions on Tepeyac Hill in 2031. 

The Very Rev. Esquiel Sanchez, Director of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, Illinois (which hosted the statue in the fall of 2025), says, "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, that you open your heart the way he did."

An "experience" of the Pilgrim Mother statue begins with a digital retelling, through audio, music, and prayers, of the story and message of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which leads into a time of prayer and veneration of the statue. Most days during the statue's visit will have multiple opportunities to attend this experience.

Most experiences are followed by food and fellowship in the church hall, offering a wonderful opportunity to meet and share communion with fellow pilgrims.

A key feature of the Pilgrim Mother veneration experience is the presentation of prayer intentions to Our Lady. During their time of prayer with the statue, pilgrims will receive ribbons, on which they can write any petitions that they wish to bring to Mary. These ribbons will be left with the statue and later taken to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, where Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee will offer a special Mass this June for all the intentions of the Wisconsin pilgrims who visited the Pilgrim Mother statue. 

Most of us will never make it to Mexico to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but the Pilgrim Mother statue experience gives pilgrims the opportunity to spiritually unite themselves to the Basilica and to have their petitions prayed for there!

A "program" will kick off our evening events and Saturday morning during the Pilgrim Mother statue visit. These programs include talks (one in English and one in Spanish, each in different locations on the church campus) on Our Lady of Guadalupe, as well as live music, skits, and devotions such as the Rosary. These programs will each last for about one hour and be followed by Mass.

We are excited to welcome Fr. Tim Oudenhoven, a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse who is helping to coordinate the Pilgrim Mother statue's journeys through Wisconsin, as an English-language speaker during our evening programs. Spanish-language talks will be given by Fr. José Luis Vazquez, Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Other details regarding guest speakers, musicians, devotions, etc. that will be part of our evening programs will be shared soon in the above daily schedule.