A young woman in a pink formal dress and a young man in a gray suit with a pink vest and bow tie stand on a red carpet surrounded by people at a festive gathering. Pink and white balloons are displayed, and attendees are holding drinks. A sign congratulates a high school graduate in the background.

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

Two women dancing energetically at a decorated indoor event, wearing elegant dresses, with festive lights and paper decorations in the background.

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.

A woman in a sparkling dress and tiara stands next to a man in a white shirt and bow tie, striking a playful pose. Lockers and a mirror are in the background.

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."

People celebrating Chinese New Year with lion dance costumes in front of a community center.

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.

Participants in a parade carrying a colorful dragon costume during snowfall.

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.

A woman in a traditional outfit with a veil over her head at a cultural event, surrounded by people indoors.

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.”

A traditional wedding scene with four people seated on ornate chairs. The bride, in pink attire and a veil, and the groom, in a white outfit, are sitting together. A religious officiant in black attire sits on one side holding a microphone, and another man in a white outfit sits on the other side. Pink and white draped curtains and flowers adorn the background.
A groom in traditional attire rides a white horse with a child, surrounded by a festive crowd.

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.

A person is being baptized in a body of water by another individual wearing overalls, while a third person stands nearby, possibly praying or observing. The sky is overcast with city buildings in the background.

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.

Group of people with hands on hearts, holding American flags, at an outdoor event, possibly a ceremony.

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.

Group of women enjoying a lively atmosphere in a dimly lit restaurant or bar, wearing colorful dresses and necklaces, drinking cocktails, with one woman standing and gesturing animatedly.

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.

Drag performer in elaborate feathered costume on stage interacting with audience members at a colorful event.

Travis Widdington waits backstage before graduating with his 65 classmates from Orr High School.

Graduates in yellow caps and gowns standing in a dimly lit hallway, with one person holding a cap and another looking at a phone.
Graduate in cap and gown posing happily with family on a residential street, with trees and houses in the background.

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.

A woman hugging a person in a graduation gown with a blue "Congrats Grad" balloon and a stuffed toy.
A ballroom event with people dressed in formal attire. Several young women in white gowns and men in tuxedos stand on a stage. A young woman in a white gown stands alone on the dance floor, under a spotlight, holding flowers. The room is elegantly decorated with dim lighting and large chandeliers.
Formal ballroom dance with couples in elegant attire.
Group of young girls in formal dresses and gloves at a ballroom event.

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.

Person holding a religious book open to pages with prayers and text.

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.

Elderly woman in bed receiving Catholic sacrament from a priest, with a man comforting her; a crucifix and religious picture on the wall.