After breakfast at the hotel, we visit The Holy Family Church where we view the tomb and relics of Jesuit martyr and saint, Fr. Miguel Agustin Pro. Exiled from Mexico and aided in secret by pious locals during the Cristero War, he was eventually arrested and killed prior to his final words: “Viva Cristo Rey!” (“Long live Christ the King!”) Time for prayer, veneration, and a visit to the small museum within the church. We continue through the historical and impressive archaeological center of Mexico City to celebrate Mass at Santo Domingo Church which houses several shrines, two of which are: Our Lady of the Rosary, and Our Lady of Covadonga - the headquarters of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary. Following Mass, we drive past the National Palace, continuing to Zocalo Plaza where we visit the largest and oldest cathedral in all Latin America, the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. It is here where Juan Diego’s bishop, the first bishop and archbishop of Mexico, Juan de Zumárraga, is buried. Following lunch on your own, we continue our tour passing the Palace of the Archbishop, where Juan Diego unfurled his tilma and Castilian roses fell to the ground before the bishop and the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary appeared on his cloak (The Miracle of the Roses). Our special day concludes with a visit to the home of Mariachi Music, Garibaldi Square.

Mariachi Bands, dinner & overnight in Mexico City.

Following breakfast at the hotel, we tour the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Holy Mass is celebrated here on this day. We venerate the Tilma, which remains exactly how it was presented to Juan Diego centuries ago. We walk the grounds of Tepeyac Hill, beginning with a charming museum that hosts a collection of paintings and colonial religious art created by pilgrims in gratitude and thanksgiving for miracles granted. We ascend Tepeyac Hill to visit the Capilla del Cerrito, the original chapel on the exact site of the apparitions of Our Lady to Juan Diego in 1531. Walking up the small hills of the Tepeyac Garden, we view its beautiful statues, which depict the unity of the Aztec people with the Spanish Christian Mission and visit the Chapel of the Indians near where St. Juan Diego lived. After lunch on your own nearby, we drive to Chapultepec Park to visit the National Museum of Anthropology, which contains the world's largest collection of ancient Mexican indigenous art, including the Sun Stone or Aztec Calendar. By bus, we see several historical sites during the driving portion of our tour. Dinner & overnight in Mexico City. 

Breakfast and check-out, and we travel to Tlaxcala, the smallest of Mexico's states, where Mass is celebrated at the Shrine of San Miguel del Milagro (2 hours). This is the site of apparitions of St. Michael the Archangel, as well as the spring of curative waters blessed by St. Michael. We drive to Tlaxcala City to visit the unforgettable Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Ocotlan. Also known as the "Place of the Burning Oak," tradition holds that it is here where the Blessed Virgin Mary miraculously caused her image to be burned into a tree! Lunch on your own en route to visit what is known as Mexico's most beautiful city, Puebla (1 hour). Situated at an elevation of 7,000 feet near Mexico's snow-capped peaks, Puebla is well known for its beautiful churches and its hand-painted tiles, or "Talavera." We visit the Basilica Cathedral of Puebla, built between 1575 and 1690 and known for its massive towers - the tallest in Mexico. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and stands as a stunning blend of Renaissance and Baroque architecture, adorned with gold leaf, sculptures and an impressive altar. Free time for strolling and shopping in the many quaint shops in this charming city. Check-in, dinner & in Puebla. 

Breakfast and check-out, and we begin a walking tour of Puebla. Our first stop is the Church of Santo Domingo, home to the stunning Rosary Chapel. Often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the chapel captivates visitors with its intricate Baroque artistry, featuring gold leaf, onyx, and its famous Talavera tiles. We then enjoy time at the lively Calle de los Dulces, or Candies Street. This charming area is lined with family-owned shops, many of which have been handed down through several generations. Here, we find traditional Mexican sweets, handcrafted cookies, gift baskets, and locally made jewelry, handbags, and crafts. Many of the shop owners live above their stores, just as their ancestors before them did, and continue with the same recipes handed down to them for generations! Following lunch on your own nearby, we travel to Cholula (.5 hour). 

In Cholula, we visit the Church of Our Lady of the Remedies, built in 1575 atop the massive Great Pyramid of Cholula, the largest pyramid in the world (by volume) and the largest monument ever built. The Baroque-style church honors the Virgin of Remedies, a title of Our Lady especially venerated by the indigenous people after their conversion to Christianity. The Virgin is known for her intercession for the poor, the sick, and those in great need. We continue with a visit to the Church of Santa María Tonantzintla. This extraordinary church was built by indigenous artisans and is an example of ancient sacred art. Its interior is adorned with a vibrant, richly decorated ceiling filled with colorful angels, native motifs, and imagery blending Christian and indigenous traditions. The name Tonantzintla means "Place of Our Little Mother" in Nahuatl, the original language of the Aztecs. Mass time and location to be confirmed. This evening, we return to Mexico City (2.5 hours).

Check-in, dinner & overnight in Mexico City.

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit Tlatelolco’s Square of the Three Cultures, where 3 important eras of Mexican history meet: the pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern. We celebrate Mass at St. James Church, located near the site where St. Juan Diego was baptized, marking the beginning of his mission as Our Lady of Guadalupe’s messenger. We continue to Tulpetlac, site of the fifth apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe (1 hour). Here, Juan Diego’s uncle, San Bernardino, was miraculously healed by Our Lady. We visit the Shrine of the Fifth Apparition and see the small chapel behind the altar that holds the original spring from San Bernardino’s home, a place revered for its healing graces. Next, we travel to Teotihuacan with lunch on your own en route (1 hour). Here, we visit the impressive Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, reflecting on the dramatic conversion of the people of Mexico through the apparition of the Virgin Mary. We return to Mexico City this evening (1.5 hours)

Dinner & overnight in Mexico City.

Following breakfast this morning, we check out of the hotel and enjoy a final visit to the Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (flight schedule permitting). We bid farewell to this deeply historic city where Our Lady, Patroness of the Americas, appeared to unite her children, the Aztec and Spanish people, and where millions were converted to the truth of the incarnation.

We travel to the airport and although our pilgrimage ends, its blessings and our memories will last a lifetime. May our pilgrimage serve to draw us even closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Immaculate Heart of His Mother and ours, the Blessed Virgin Mary (La Morenita)!