Mexico Pilgrimage Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today you will go to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas. This Shrine was built in response to Our Lady’s request to the apparition’s seer, St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. When St. Juan relayed her request to the bishop he asked for a sign. Our Lady provided St. Juan with culturally significant flowers that miraculously bloomed in the middle of winter on Tepeyac Hill. When the seer returned to the bishop with his cloak (tilma) full of flowers, he poured the flowers on the floor, revealing a stunning image of Our Lady which many studies have proven could not have been made by human hand. Upon arrival at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, you will celebrate Mass as you marvel at the brilliantly colored basilica made in her honor. Following Mass, you will have the opportunity to kneel in front of St. Juan’s tilma, on which Our Lady’s image was miraculously imprinted. We will continue to San Juan Teotihuacan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to mythology, this site was chosen to be the center of the universe and thus became a prominent political and religious center from the second century to the ninth century. While in San Juan Teotihuacan, you will enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant, followed by a guided tour of the archaeological zone. While on this tour, you will view the pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, and local art markets. Your incredible day will culminate with a delicious dinner and returning to the hotel for a restful overnight

Overnight in Mexico City

This morning after breakfast you will depart for Holy Family Church, where you will view the tomb of the Jesuit martyr Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro. During the Mexican Revolution, Fr. Pro was exiled from Mexico due to the great amount of religious persecution. He bravely returned to Mexico and was aided by a clandestine group that helped him hide from the authorities. He assisted many individuals with their spiritual and temporal needs during the persecution. Although he helped many, he was eventually arrested and killed. His final words before the firing squad were “Viva Cristo Rey!” which translates to “Long Live Christ the King!” At Holy Family Church, you can venerate this saint’s relics and ask for his intercession. We will also celebrate Mass here and visit the small yet inspiring museum dedicated to Fr. Pro’s life, mission, and sacrifice. We will continue to the Church of Santo Domingo, which stands on the same site where the first temple was built after the conquest of the Dominicans. Inside the church you will see several chapels, and you will have the opportunity to pray the rosary in the chapel dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary. Another chapel is dedicated to the Spanish Virgin of Covadonga (patroness of the Asturian Immigrants), and another is dedicated to the “Lord of the Rebozo.” This church is also significant for the historical characters buried here, such as Francisco Vazquez de Coronado. Next, we will have lunch near the city center before continuing to the Church of San José del Altillo to see the crypt where Blessed Conchita Cabrera is buried. Blessed María Concepción Cabrera Arias de Armida, known as Conchita, was a model of holiness as a wife, mother, widow, grandmother, and founder. Because of the depth of her writings, Conchita is recognized as a great mystic of the 20th century. In addition to her voluminous writings,  Conchita founded several apostolates under the banner of “Works of the Cross.” Pope Saint John Paul II declared her Venerable on December 20, 1999, and Pope Francis confirmed a miracle that was attributed to Conchita on June 8, 2018. She was beatified in Mexico City on May 4, 2019. Time for prayers and personal devotions will be provided. Your day will conclude with another delicious dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.

Overnight in Mexico City

This morning following breakfast you will enjoy a spectacular drive to what is known as Mexico’s most beautiful city: Puebla. Our ride will climb to over 10,000 feet above sea level, where we will view two magnificent peaks: an active volcano and a mountain topped with snow. On our tour, we will visit the cathedral dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and the Church of St. Dominic to admire the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary built in 1690. This is an outstanding example of Mexican Baroque, with dazzling use of gilded stucco and onyx stonework. Then we will see the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, where you will view the incorrupt body of Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio, patron saint of travelers. Born to Spanish peasants, this field worker is a model of simplicity and chastity. Though he grew to accumulate a lot of wealth as a farmer, he distributed his goods among the poor and became a Franciscan brother at the age of 72. He collected alms for the friary and was charitable to everyone he met for 25 years, earning him the name “Angel of Mexico.” You will have time to venerate his body, miraculously incorrupt since his death in 1600. Afterward, you will enjoy a traditional poblano lunch and mole tasting at a local restaurant. This afternoon you will have time in Puebla’s largest traditional handcraft market, El Parián, to shop its colorful glazed pottery. You will then return to Mexico City for dinner and an overnight stay at our hotel.

Overnight in Mexico City

After breakfast, we will head to the Church of the Fifth Apparition, where the Blessed Virgin Maria de Guadalupe appeared to and healed Juan Bernardino, Juan Diego’s uncle. On the fatal sickness and sudden healing of his uncle, Our Lady told St. Juan, “Listen, put it into your heart, my youngest and dearest son, that the thing that frightens you, the thing that afflicts you, is nothing: do not let it disturb you… Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more? Let nothing else worry you or disturb you.” Here you can find a well of healing water from which the locals drink. You can pause at the well and reflect on the consoling words of our Mother Mary. We will celebrate Mass before we return to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe for one last prayer before the miraculous image of the Mother of God. You will have time for leisure and fun for our final afternoon before enjoying a fantastic last dinner out complete with live Mariachi music.

Overnight in Mexico City

This morning, you will make your way to the airport for your return flight(s) from Mexico City to your final destination.