Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage to Mexico with Paul J. Kim - 26RS05MXPK

We gather at San Antonio International Airport for a group flight to Mexico City. Upon arrival, we are greeted by our tour escort and transferred to our hotel near the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We start with group orientation, followed by Mass and dinner. Overnight in Mexico City. (D)

We start the day with breakfast at our hotel. Our first stop of the day is the Church of Santiago Tlatelolco, where St. Juan Diego was baptized. Next, we continue to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.Upon arrival at the Shrine, we visit the beautiful basilica, have time to kneel in front of the Tilma, where Our Lady’s image was miraculously imprinted, and visit the El Pocito (Chapel of the Little Well) and the site of the original apparition. We celebrate Mass and have time to explore the gardens on our own. In the afternoon, we depart for San Juan Teotihuacan, where we have lunch and a guacamole-making class, followed by a guided tour of the archaeological site of the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Before we return to our hotel, we stop to see the Church of the Fifth Apparition. Dinner is at the hotel. Overnight in Mexico City. (B.L.D)

After a buffet breakfast, we depart for Puebla, the City of the Angels and Churches, the fourth-largest city in Mexico, and a great example of Spanish colonial architecture. The Puebla region is famous for its beautiful churches, its cuisine, and the hand-painted “Talavera” tiles. We visit the unforgettable Chapel of the Rosary to celebrate Mass and for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (TBC). Then enjoy visits to the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church, the Santa Monica religious museum, and the Church of St. Francis to see the incorrupt body of St. Sebastian. Traditionally, the delicious Mole Poblano and Chile en Nogada have their origins here in Puebla. Tradition tells us that a nun at the Santa Rosa Convent in Puebla invented the mole recipe in the 17th century, when she heard of the impending visit of Juan de Palafox, Viceroy of New Spain and Archbishop of Puebla. Today for lunch, we try a local Poblano dish. Following lunch, we have time for shopping in the local market. Return to Mexico City for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D)

Our day starts with breakfast at the hotel. We visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Church of La Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family) and see the tomb of Fr. Miguel Agustin Pro, the Jesuit Martyr. We explore the small museum dedicated to Blessed Miguel Pro. Nearby, we visit a typical Mexican food market where the locals shop. We then drive to Girlstown in Chalco and have a special visit with Fr. Dan Leary, where we meet some of the 3000 girls who live there, celebrate Mass, and have lunch with them. Most of the girls at Girlstown have been impacted by great personal tragedy and or loss of their family members to drug cartels. Dinner and overnight in Mexico City. (B.L.D)

Following breakfast, our first stop is a visit to the Church of San José del Altillo to see the crypt where Blessed Conchita Cabrera is buried. Blessed Conchita was beatified at the Guadalupe Basilica, and she is the first Mexican laywoman to receive beatification. We are met by a local priest who gives us a short presentation about Blessed Conchita’s life. Here we celebrate Mass. Time for prayer will be included. In the afternoon, we have a holy hour and watch the sunset at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Tonight’s farewell dinner is at Villa Maria Restaurant accompanied by a festive time with a Mariachi band. Overnight in Mexico City. (B.L. Special dinner)

Following breakfast, we check out of the hotel and visit Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine for morning Mass before we are transferred to the airport for our flights home. (B)