A Conversation with Father Byron Macías, CMF: The Humble Origins of the First Hispanic Parish in the Midwest and the Legacy of St. Jude
Father Byron Macías, CMF, was recently interviewed by Chicago Católico for their program La Hora Católica: Misa y Más. In a heartfelt conversation, Father Byron reflected on the origins of the first Hispanic parish in the Midwest — Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in South Chicago — and on the birth of its devotion to St. Jude Thaddeus, who later became a source of faith and hope through the National Shrine of St. Jude.
Fr. Byron Macias, CMF
According to Father Byron, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church began with humble roots. The parish was built by Mexican immigrant workers who, after long hours on the job, would gather in the evenings to help construct a sacred space: a place where their families could pray, find hope, and honor God. “It was the effort, the tears, the sweat, and the faith of that first wave of immigrants,” Father Byron explained. They came with nothing, yet they built everything, beginning with a small wooden chapel.
Our Lady of Guadalupe wooden chapel.
He also spoke about the vision of Father James Tort, a Claretian missionary too, who dedicated a special space within the church to St. Jude. Devotion to St. Jude soon flourished, which led the Claretians to establish the National Shrine of St. Jude. Today, the Shrine is a spiritual home for more than three million pilgrims who participate online and in-person. What began as a promise in the midst of poverty has become a place where people come to pray, to hope, and to find God’s presence in their lives.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish South Chicago
A native of Ecuador, Father Byron also reflected on his own immigrant story. He never imagined that one day he would serve as a priest at the very sanctuary that once welcomed him as a newcomer to the United States. Fr Byron family arrived in 1998, his mother found a small prayer card of St. Jude Thaddeus with the address of the Shrine in Chicago. He never dreamed that one day he would live and serve there.
National Shrine of St.Jude.
Today, Our Lady of Guadalupe parish remains a vibrant community and a beacon of faith, culture, and resilience that serves families from Mexico, Central and South America, and beyond. Under Claretian leadership, the parish is also nurturing new generations through youth ministry, education, and outreach programs that embody the congregation’s mission: to bring the hope of Christ to those most in need.
Father Byron emphasized that the National Shrine of St. Jude touches lives every day. He shared moving stories of pilgrims who have experienced God’s grace through the intercession of St. Jude, including a family whose premature baby survived against all odds after being dedicated to the saint.
The devotion, Father Byron believes, remains timeless, even among new generations. “Last year, people were calling St. Jude the ‘saint of TikTok,’” he laughed. That just shows how his message of hope continues to reach people in unexpected ways.
As the parish community prepares for this year’s celebration of St. Jude’s Feast Day on October 28, Father Byron invites everyone to join in prayer and joy:
“If you want to come, bring a band, a mariachi, or bring photos of your loved ones and join us ”
For more information about the St. Jude 2025 celebrations visit Our Lady of Guadalupe.
