Arriving in Mexico City, we will be welcomed and introduced to the other members of the pilgrimage group. The pilgrimage will begin with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and an opening dinner.

Today, we will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas. Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica and we will venerate St. Juan Diego’s tilma, upon which Our Lady’s image was miraculously imprinted. We will also visit Tepeyac Hill, where Our Lady first appeared to St. Juan Diego and where flowers miraculously bloomed in the middle of winter. Our Lady of Guadalupe’s maternal love is expressed in her words to St. Juan Diego: “Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?”

We will continue to San Juan Teotihuacan, a site that was a prominent political and religious center from the second century to the ninth century. Here, we will have a guided tour of the archaeological zone, including the pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Into this very place, where the ancient culture of death was so prevalent, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s message brought the truth of the Gospel and new life through conversion to her son, Jesus Christ.

Today, we will visit and learn about the lives of two beatified Mexicans: Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro and Blessed Conchita Cabrera.

Fr. Miquel Pro is a Jesuit martyr who ministered to the spiritual and temporal needs of many people during the Mexican Revolution. He was eventually arrested and killed, and his final words before the firing squad were “Viva Cristo Rey!” which translates to “Long live Christ the King!” At Holy Family Church, where Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro is buried, we will celebrate Mass and venerate his relics. We will also visit the small yet inspiring museum dedicated to Fr. Miquel Pro’s life, mission, and sacrifice.

At the Church of San José del Altillo, we will 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 of nine children, widow, grandmother, and foundress. Due to 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.”

In the morning we will visit the Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe, returning to pray before her maternal presence. Afterwards, we will travel to one of Mexico’s most beautiful cities: Puebla. The drive there 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.

In Puebla, we will visit the cathedral dedicated to the Immaculate Conception as well as the Church of St. Dominic and its Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, which was built in 1690 and is an outstanding example of Mexican Baroque architecture. We will also enjoy a traditional poblano lunch and mole tasting at a local restaurant, and will visit Puebla’s largest traditional handcraft market, El Parián, known for its colorful glazed pottery.

Today, we will head to the Church of the Fifth Apparition in Tulpetlac, where Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to and healed Juan Bernardino, Juan Diego’s uncle. In this Church, there is a well of healing water, and we will celebrate a Mass with healing prayers, entrusting all of our intentions to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

We will then return to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the afternoon, to spend some final moments with her, and will enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner together.

We will attend a morning Mass before heading to the airport for our return flights home.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of places to be visited. Occasionally local religious holidays, national days, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or the missing of certain visits.