Members of the Ecuadorian community held a procession for the Virgin Mary through the streets of Albany Park Wednesday, commemorating a religious holiday and a cultural touchstone with special significance for immigrants.
The feast of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, or the Virgin of the Cloud, is celebrated in villages throughout Ecuador and Peru, and marks a once-a-year chance for immigrants here to share their faith with traditional music, dancing and food.
Parishioners carry a Virgin Mary figure in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, during a procession through the Albany Park neighborhood after Mass on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy on the Northwest Side. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Parishioners carry a train behind a figure in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, during a processional through the Albany Park neighborhood after Mass on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy on the Northwest Side. The Mass and processional are an annual Ecuadorian community celebration. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Parishioners carry a train behind a figure out of the church after a Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)A young girl arranges flowers while parishioners celebrate a Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, on Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy on the Northwest Side. The Mass and processional through the Albany Park neighborhood are an annual Ecuadorian community celebration. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Parishioners finish a Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy on the Northwest Side. The Mass and processional through the Albany Park neighborhood are an annual Ecuadorian community celebration. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Parishioners carry a figure in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, through the Albany Park on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy on the Northwest Side. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Parishioners celebrate a Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, on Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Parishioners pray during a Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, on Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy on the Northwest Side. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Parishioners pray during a Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Parishioners pray during a Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Parishioners receive communion during a Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy . (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Parishioners carry a train behind a figure out of the church after a Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy on the Northwest Side. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Musicians play while parishioners celebrate a Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy on the Northwest Side. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Parishioners celebrate a Mass in honor of Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Nube, Our Lady of the Cloud, on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy on the Northwest Side. The Mass and processional through the Albany Park neighborhood are an annual Ecuadorian community celebration. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
