Priest
About Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR:
Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, became president of Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2019. The well-known Catholic speaker and author received his bachelor’s from Franciscan University, then earned an MDiv, MA in theology, doctorate in education, and executive juris doctorate. A member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, he was ordained a priest in 1996.
He served in leadership positions at Franciscan University including as vice president for Mission and Planning. He also served as director of the TOR’s Post-Novitiate Formation and most recently directed the TOR’s evangelistic outreach Franciscan Pathways. He has hosted The Wild Goose video series including the latest 10th Hour Production Wild Goose TV series, My Father’s Father. He has written six books, including Breath of God: Living a Life Led by the Holy Spirit and Sign of Contradiction.
Special Guest
About Heather Khym:
Heather Khym is the cohost of the internationally popular Abiding Together podcast, the author of Abide and soon to be released Encountering Emmanuel. She and her husband, Jake, are the cofounders of Life Restoration Ministries, where she serves as Director of Vision and Ministry. Heather has more than twenty-five years of experience as a speaker and retreat leader, offering conferences and workshops in the United States and Canada. She attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, studying theology and catechetics. Heather is passionate about evangelization, discipleship, and creating an environment for people to have a personal encounter with God. She lives with her husband in British Columbia, Canada and has three children who attend Franciscan University.
Your trip includes
- Round-trip airfare from your desired Airport
- Airport Taxes and Fuel Surcharges
- Hotel accommodations: (or similar) in double occupancy
- ~ 4 nights: Jan 6 - 10: Hotel Marquis Reforma, Mexico City, Mexico
- Breakfast Lunch and Dinner daily (no lunch day of arrival or departure)
- Wine and mineral water with dinners
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
- Whisper headsets where needed
- Assistance of a professional local Catholic Guide
- Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
- Tips to Hotel Staff and Restaurants
- Mass daily & Spiritual activities
- Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
- Flight bag & Digital confirmation of all travel documents
Not Included
- Beverages not mentioned, Tips to your guide & driver.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Monday, January 6: Arrive in Mexico
This morning, make your way to your local airport for your flight(s) to Mexico City. You will begin your stay with the holy sacrifice of the Mass either at the hotel or a church, depending on the time of arrival. Tonight, you will have the pleasure of meeting and enjoying dinner with your fellow pilgrims and staying overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 | Tuesday, January 7: Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Teotihuacan
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.
Day 3 | Wednesday, January 8: Mexico City - Blessed Miguel Pro – Santo Domingo Church - Blessed Conchita Cabrera
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. Yet 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.
Day 4 | Thursday, January 9: Church of Tulpetlac - Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
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 that locals drink from. 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.
Day 5 | Friday, January 10: Return Home
This morning, you will make your way to the airport for your return flight(s) from Mexico City to your final destination.
*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.
Would you like to arrive earlier or stay later?
Let us know at the time of registration if you would like to arrive earlier, or stay later, than the scheduled tour dates, and pending availability, we will change your airline reservations accordingly, additional fees may apply. Pre- and/or post-stays at the hotel will cost an additional fee. These options should be available to you when registering online, or simply contact us: sales@206tours.com