Our Lady of Guadalupe Mexico Pilgrimage with Our Lady of the Valley Parish

Morning departure from your home city. On arrival in Mexico City, we’ll meet our escort and transfer to our hotel. Gather tonight for a welcome dinner. Overnight: Mexico City (D)

Today we will spend the day visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, “The Patroness of the Americas.” We celebrate Mass in the brilliantly colored, modern Basilica dedicated in 1976. We’ll unite our prayers with other pilgrims before the altar displaying the astounding Tilma of St. Juan Diego, which bears the image of our Holy Mother. We will also visit the Church of Tepeyac Hill, Church of the Well, Monument of the Offerings, and Church of the Indians. There will be leisure time this afternoon to visit and pray at the shrine. Overnight: Mexico City (B, D)

Today we will tour downtown Mexico City. We will celebrate Mass and take a guided tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Latin America. Here we’ll see stunning paintings, altar pieces, and statues, as well as the Tomb of Bishop Zumárraga, the first Bishop of Mexico and a witness to the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our guided tour continues as we visit the National Palace, the Main Square (Zócalo), and the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlán (Templo Mayor). Overnight: Mexico City (B, D)

Depart for Mass at Santa Maria Tulpetlac, the Church of the 5th apparition of the Blessed Mother and the site of the healing of St. Juan Diego’s uncle, Juan Bernardino. We’ll have the opportunity to drink water from its miraculous well. Afterwards, we journey to the Pyramids of Teotihuacán, “Place of the gods,” where we’ll visit the Temple of Quetzalcóatl and other fascinating structures, as well as attend a presentation on the Maguey plant. Overnight: Mexico City (B, D)

Full-day excursion outside of Mexico City to visit Tlaxcala and Puebla. En route, we will see two magnificent mountain peaks—one covered with snow and the other an active volcano. Upon arrival in Tlaxcala, we will visit the Shrine of San Miguel Del Milagro, where St. Michael the Archangel appeared to Diego Lázaro in 1631. Next, we visit St. Dominic’s Church and its splendid Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, followed by Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church and prayer before the tomb of the incorrupt St. Sebastian of Aparicio. A visit to the oldest public library in the Americas, the Biblioteca Palafoxiana. Leisure time in Puebla to wander as you wish—be sure to visit the famous Candy Street. Before departing Puebla, we will have dinner, followed by our return to the hotel in Mexico City. Overnight: Mexico City (B, D)

After Mass this morning at the Basilica, the rest of the day is free until the evening, when we enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner and an authentic folk performance at the National Palace of Fine Arts. Overnight: Mexico City (B, D)

Mass at the Church where Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro, S.J., served. Fr. Miguel was martyred for his faith last century under the Calles Regime. With hearts and minds filled with gratitude, we make our way to the airport for our flight home. (B)