BACK OF THE YARDS — St. Joseph will celebrate its 130th anniversary this week with a series of events including a peace walk, special Masses and the display of three images of revered Mexican women.
The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday with the arrival of religious images of Our Lady of Zopopan, Our Lady of Talpa and Our Lady of San Juan De Los Lagos. It will mark the first time the images have been on display in Chicago, the church said in a statement.
A procession of the images will be held near the church and will include a Knights of Columbus Guard, Aztec dancers and Tamborazo-style music performances. A welcome Mass will be held at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph, 4821 S. Hermitage Ave. The images will leave after a special Mass 7 p.m. Sunday.
On Saturday, the parish will host a "Humanity Walk for Peace," will will kick off at the church at 11 a.m. and will include stops to pray with area police officers, a stop to pray with Chicago Police Oversight Agency officials and a prayer for elected officials, according to the church.
After the walk, an outdoor Mass will be held at the walk's final stop at 48th and Bishop. The Mass will be dedicated to victims of gun violence in Back of the Yards.
St. Joseph was formed in 1887 by Polish immigrants. The current church building was built in 1913, and it offers services in Polish, English and Spanish.
For more information on the anniversary events, click here.
