Experience Mexico
Significant Feast Days
|
|
6-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Depart your city for Mexico City, after arrival spend time exploring the neighborhood and enjoy an authentic Mexican dinner
Day 2 Journey to Guadalupe, pray before the Tilma of Juan Diego at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, visit the Aztec pyramids of Teotihuacan
Day 3 Take in the sights of Mexico city, its plazas, palace and cathedral
Day 4 Travel to the suburbs of Mexico city and spend the day in missionary service with the Missionaries of Charity
Day 5 Travel to Puebla and visit Our Lady of Ocotlán along the way, pray before the incorrupt body of Blessed Sebastian de Aparicio
Day 6 Depart Puebla for Mexico City and return home
Mass will be celebrated daily within the itinerary.
Specific locations and events within the daily itinerary are subject to change depending on actual dates of travel.
Day 2 Journey to Guadalupe, pray before the Tilma of Juan Diego at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, visit the Aztec pyramids of Teotihuacan
Day 3 Take in the sights of Mexico city, its plazas, palace and cathedral
Day 4 Travel to the suburbs of Mexico city and spend the day in missionary service with the Missionaries of Charity
Day 5 Travel to Puebla and visit Our Lady of Ocotlán along the way, pray before the incorrupt body of Blessed Sebastian de Aparicio
Day 6 Depart Puebla for Mexico City and return home
Mass will be celebrated daily within the itinerary.
Specific locations and events within the daily itinerary are subject to change depending on actual dates of travel.
About Mexico
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is home to two bailicas, The Old Basilica, built in 1709, is one of the most beautiful churches in Latin America. The brilliantly-colored modern Basilica displays the astounding Tilma of Juan Diego, the actual sackcloth bearing the miraculous image of the Holy Virgin.
|
The Teotihuacan Pyramids date back to a time when most European cities were little more than villages. Teotihuacan was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas, and most likely the world. This pre-Aztec city contains the Pyramids of the Sun, an amazing 215 foot high pyramid, the awesome Pyramid of the Moon, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl with its enormous ornamental snake heads, and the grand Avenue of the Dead running the length of the city.
|
The Capilla del Cerrito, sometimes called the Chapel of Tepeyac Hill, is built at the site of the first apparition. Pilgrims are invited to climb the stairs rising to the summit, and reflect upon the significance of Guadalupe’s message for our time.
|
The Zócalo, is the main square of Central Mexico City, and is formally known as Plaza de la Constitución. This plaza was the main ceremonial center of the Ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, and is now home to the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace.
|
The Plaza de las Tres Culturas, the three cultures, is the main square of the Tlatelolco neighborhood of Mexico city. This plaza celebrates the meeting point of Aztec, Spanish, and modern Mexican cultures. The architecture of the buildings in the square are perfect examples of three distinct periods in Mexican history: pre-Columbian, Spanish colonial, and that of independent Mexico.
|
The Missionaries of Charity are a community of religious sisters founded by St. Mother Teresa in 1950. These sisters are known for their dedicated service to the poorest of the poor. On this pilgrimage, you will have the opportunity to volunteer with the sisters and serve alongside them. Hearts will be moved by the infants, teenagers, and elderly who have been abandoned by their families due to an array of disabilities. There will be time to play and enjoy their company, but also time to serve them by cleaning, helping at meal times, and responding to other needs and requests.
*Your group may serve an alternate Missionaries of Charity project, depending upon where the need is the greatest. |
The Basilica of Our Lady of Ocotlán, honors a Marian apparition that occurred only 10 years after that of Guadalupe. Here, Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego Bernardino (no relation to the Juan Diego of Guadalupe) in 1541 during a plague of Smallpox. She lead Bernardino to a fountain of healing waters that would give perfect health to all those who drank of it, and then left behind a beautiful statue hidden within a burned Oak Tree. This very statue is now housed in the Basilica for all to reverence.
In the nearby town of San Miguel del Milagro, visit the Santuario Nacional de San Miguel Arcángel at the site where St. Michael the Archangel appeared to Diego Lazaro in 1631. |
The Church of San Francisco in Puebla is a beautiful church in the Mexican Baroque style of architecture. It was built between 1550-1570 with later additions and modifications. This site is a must-visit location in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Puebla. Here pilgrims can pray before the incorrupt body of Blessed Sebastian de Aparicio. Sebastian was born in Spain, became the first Mexican cowboy, and then a Franciscan Friar. Thousands of miracles are attributed to him, and he is revered as the patron of drivers and travelers.
|