Teens, young adults gathering in Des Plaines for World Youth Day

They may not be able to be at World Youth Day in Poland in person, but as many as 300 local young adults will be there in spirit while attending an overnight event this weekend at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines.

The international gathering, held every two or three years, attracts more than a million Catholics for prayers and celebration, culminating in a Mass celebrated by the Pope.

The Archdiocese of Chicago's Young Adult Ministry is leading an official pilgrimage to Kraków, Poland for this year's event, but it's also hosting the local get-together starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, for those who couldn't travel overseas.

Participants will attend catechetical sessions, workshops in English and Spanish, musical performances, a Passion play performed in Polish, prayer services, and watch a live stream of the World Youth Day closing Mass with Pope Francis at 3 a.m. Sunday.

The shrine is located at 1170 N. River Road.