Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself.
Chicago commemorates these rites in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
Above, Joyce Jones toasts her 17-year-old daughter Brasha Ford and her date Jacques Williams during their prom send off, a community event celebrating the couple outside of Williams's home.
Photographed for Chicago magazine
Best friends Daniela Canterero and Jack Smith, at right, dance during the Gay Straight Alliance prom. Smith, who is transitioning, wore a dress that his grandfather had given him before he died. "It was a really safe space and seeing people that are non binary and cisgender was really great," Smith said.
Kamunte Fairley, 17, at right, dances with Tatianna Muñoz at Club Ki Yowga in East Chicago, Indiana. As part of Muñoz's combined quinceañera and Sweet 16, the duo practiced for weeks leading up to the celebration dance to Rihanna's "Work."
Suen Szeto celebrates the Lunar New Year Parade in Chicago's Chinatown. Szeto, who was born in China, is the head of the lion team White Crane and Lung Kung Fu.
St. Therese Chinese Catholic School seventh graders Wyatt Harley and Victor Ruan bring up the belly of a dragon during the Lunar New Year Parade in Chicago's Chinatown.
AImam Hisham Qaisi oversees the marriage of Adil Syed and Mavara Agha with her father Arif Agha. The ceremony at Agha’s childhood home in Oak Brook. Agha said that community “in a religious and a cultural context is a huge part of a wedding. There are a lot of Pakistani Muslims in Oak Brook, and they all live pretty close to each other. Growing up, we had a lot of get-togethers in my home, so having such a significant moment in my home and in front of my community meant a lot to me.”
During a procession-turned-dance-party en route to his wedding ceremony with Sonali Gupta, Ryan Hanson holds his cousin-in-law Sanam Goel, 3, as his family and groomsmen celebrate.
Lasalle Street Church executive pastor Randall K. Blakey baptizes 14-year-old Eli Lauger in the cool waters of Lake Michigan one early Sunday morning in late August with senior pastor Laura Truax, at left. "It was breathtaking," Lauger said. "I felt like a different person when I came back up." Every late summer, the church celebrates Affirmation Sunday with several public proclamations of faith through baptism.
Justine Lee, a native of South Korea, pledges allegiance to the United States of America during a naturalization ceremony held at Daley Plaza, which saw 56 candidates from 19 countries become citizens that mid-September day. Lee, who is married to an American citizen, said she wanted to become a naturalized citizen because, “My life is here.” She registered to vote immediately following the ceremony and plans to vote in November. “I’m included in this very important decision for the country, so I’m very honored,” she said.
Karen Walsh, seated at center, celebrates her 50th birthday party at the Baton Show Lounge, which, in its 48th year, is a mainstay for birthday and bachelorette parties in Chicago's River North.
Below, for her bachelorette party, Gezime Ameti attended the Baton Show Lounge drag queen show where Jackie Couture serenaded her.
Travis Widdington waits backstage before graduating with his 65 classmates from Orr High School.
Lilia Chavez celebrates her son Cesar Chavez Jr. during his graduation from UIC College Preparatory High School. “I was feeling very emotional,” Lilia Chavez said. “He’s come a long way.” Cesar Chavez, who graduated on the High Honor Roll, received a full ride to attend Washington University in St. Louis and is considering a degree in journalism, communications or education.
At the historic Hilton Chicago in the Loop, 17 young women debut in the 56th Links Debutante Cotillion, an annual ball that celebrates the futures of African American women.
Below, Junior Debutantes Erin Chapman, Isis Franklin, Payton Peebles, Olivia Perry, Sanaia Pierre, and Chloe Phoenix catch a glimpse of their futures as they watch the Links Cotillion Debutantes enter the ballroom. The Cotillion develops and celebrates young women of African ancestry by enriching their cultural and economic understanding of the world.
Father Brendan Gibson gives last rites and the Apostolic Pardon to Johanna Reilly not long after she suffered a stroke that left her in and out of consciousness. Every Sunday, Gibson visits parishioners who are sick and unable to attend mass. Johanna’s son Tim Reilly said he felt great relief to have her receive the Catholic indulgence that he believes would keep her out of purgatory. “If you get the apostolic pardon, you go straight to heaven,” Reilly said. “It puts my mind a lot at rest.” Reilly died late that year.
