Catholic Heritage of Mexico 2018 with Guadalupe and more

26 November 2018 to 05 December 2018



You can watch the full length Pilgrimage below or download it here.


Journal

Farewells & Comments from Amazing Mexico!

It’s always sad to say goodbye to people after being with them 9 or 10 days. This pilgrimage through Mexico went flawlessly. We emphasized Guadalupe and the Catholic heritage of this land but also the cultural, historical, and fun aspects. We enjoyed the close contact and fellowship with the Mexican people .

Everyone had a great time and the fears that Americans tend to have, and the preconceived ideas of what Mexico is like, were all blown to pieces. Mexico is a beautiful, safe, clean and Catholic country.

Here are the comments and thoughts as shared by the pilgrims.


About the Pilgrimage

Dear Miranda (Corporate Travel and Steve Ray) –

Your email was a lovely gift to receive upon our return home late last night. We really appreciate the photos, email list, and info from Roberto.

This pilgrimage was beautiful and inspiring. And, in the style that Steve is known for, it was also elegant and filled with many exceptional meals of local cuisine. Most of all, though, the visit to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe encouraged and comforted me in my faith, at a time in our Church when there is so much that is trying to pull us down. I never for a moment felt unsafe. On the contrary, I felt God’s love.

Thank you for your part in this memorable trip,

Anita

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We will be joined by one of our favorite priests, Fr. James Conlon who has been a chaplain on many of our pilgrimages.

See my blog: Mexico: Why NOT to go and Why TO Go.

LISTEN/SEE BELOW WHAT OUR PILGRIMS SAID ABOUT OUR LAST PILGRIMAGE TO MEXICO!!

Some people worry about safety in Mexico, but traveling in a group with a charter bus and very knowledgeable local guide and escort, I assure you, Mexico City is safer than many major tourist destinations in the U.S. We have done this trip before with no problems and a sense of safety in a very modern part of Mexico.

One of the three great Marian apparitions, Guadalupe is OURS, centering on the Western hemisphere. We will spend a whole day in Guadalupe with a guided tour and Mass in the morning with the afternoon free to pray and explore.

This is a 10-day exciting, jam-packed pilgrimage and tour of Mexico. Not just a few days at Guadalupe! Explore and immerse yourself in the amazing faith of the Mexican people.

It would be a shame to come all the way down to Mexico City and not see everything else this amazing country has to offer Catholic pilgrims. We will spend time seeing the sites in the city with Mass at the cathedral, seeing the old Aztec Temples and discussing their religion of human sacrifice, relating it our own culture today.

We will also travel into the countryside to visit the ancient pyramids, renew baptismal vows in the oldest baptismal font in the Americas that goes back to Cortez. Visiting San Miguel and Puebla and the beautiful countryside and the historical churches. We will also renew our baptismal vows in the first holy water font in the New World brought by Cortez in 1519.

We will discuss at length the suffering and trials of the Mexican Catholics and the impact of the Cristeros. Boats on teh canals, arguing with the atheistic murals of Diego Rivera, walking through exotic markets, taking cooking lessons and eating the finest food Mexico has to offer.

This is a safe trip. The areas we tour are wonderful, free of danger and clean and friendly.

PILGRIMAGE TO MEXICO*
Footprints of God
1
0 days | 9 nights

 Day 1: Departure | Mexico City | Querétaro

Depart the USA today for Mexico City. Arrive at the Mexico International Airport, clear customs. Please arrange flights to arrive by 11:00 am CST. The group will then transfer at 12:00 pm to Hacienda Fiesta Americana Galindo given by Cortez to La Malinche in the 16th century outside Mexico City. Celebrate Mass in the hacienda chapel followed by a special Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Querétaro. (D)

Day 2: Querétaro | San Miguel de Allende

This morning tour the central region of the country, beginning in Queretaro. The city is a UNESCO world heritage site and known for its famous aqueduct, an impressive structure with a charming history. Enjoy a city trolley tour highlighting the historic downtown Queretaro. Enjoy a traditional regional lunch at Meson Chucho el Roto Restaurant. This afternoon visit the stately Church and Convent of Santa Cruz where the miraculous Tree Cross grows. Also see the Church of St. Clare of Assisi. Celebrate Mass. Depart for overnight at Hotel Rosewood in San Miguel Allende. Elegant tapas on the roof of the hotel for dinner (CB|L|D)

Day 3: San Miguel de Allende | Sanctuary Of Atotonilco

Today visit the Neo-Gothic Cathedral of San Miguel followed by visits to the downtown churches including Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Our Lady of Good Health, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Leisure time and lunch on your own. Visit to the unique and awe-inspiring church of Atontonilco, covered in frescoes, hand-painted by Fr. Luis Felipe Neri. Celebrate Mass here and then return to San Miguel de Allende for free time. Nice walk to dinner on the roof of El Palomar Restaurant and overnight at Hotel Rosewood in San Miguel de Allende. (CB |D).

Day 4: San Miguel de Allende | Puebla

Today depart for the colonial city of Puebla known as the City of Angels. Enroute, take in the views of Mexico’s beautiful countryside and mountains, including the nearby active volcano, Popocatepetl. Watch historical movies including For Greater Glory. Lunch at roadside restaurant along the way. Celebrate Mass at San Francisco Church. Arrive in Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage City. Dinner in the courtyard and overnight at Quinta Real (old convent). (CB|D)

Day 5: Puebla

Venture to Santo Domingo Church with its magnificent Rosary Chapel where the group will pray the rosary. This chapel, completed in 1690, is covered in gilded tiles, fine woodcarvings and magnificent stuccoes. Lunch at Entre Tierras. Continue on to the Church of San Francisco and learn the story of Blessed Sebastian de la Aparicio and view his incorrupt body. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. This afternoon, enjoy a special cooking class and learn how to make the traditional Mexican dish of mole. Overnight and dinner in courtyard at Quinta Real in Puebla. (CB|L|D)

Day 6: Puebla | Tlaxcala | Pyramids | Mexico City

Today depart Puebla for the town of Tlaxcala. Celebrate Mass at St Francis Church where the group will renew their baptismal vows at the 1st Baptismal font in the New World brought by Cortez in 1520. Continue on for a ½ day tour of the 2,000 year old Teotihuacan pyramids which are among the most remarkable in Mexico. Lunch in the La Gruta Caves. This afternoon, arrive in Mexico City. Check into your hotel with free time to explore the open-air markets and beautiful neighborhoods. Dinner on your own and overnight in Hilton Hotel in Mexico City. (CB|L)

Day 7: Mexico City

This morning visit the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Mexico City, the oldest and largest Cathedral in the Americas. Celebrate Mass at Cathedral. After Mass, see the famous Diego Rivera murals at the Opera House where Steve will debate the Marxist Atheist Diego Rivera (through is art). Lunch at Casa de las Sirenas. Then, visit the Church of the Holy Family to venerate the tomb of Blessed Miguel Pro, a priest martyr of the Cristero War. Visit the Zocolo to see the Aztec Temple (Templo Mayor) where Steve will give his talk on the Aztec Religion. Visit the Royal Palace. Also enjoy time at the fantastic Mercado. Dinner on your own and overnight at Hilton Hotel in Mexico City. (CB|L)

Day 8: Mexico City | Guadalupe

Today is the highlight of the pilgrimage as the group visits the most celebrated Marian apparition site in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Tour the basilica, see the famous Tilma, and visit the surrounding areas including the Old Guadalupe Shrine. Learn the story of Juan Diego and the miraculous story of conversion, healing, and the lasting sign of Our Lady’s fidelity to the Mexican people. Time for prayer in addition to the celebration of Mass. Lunch at Monte Cristo Restaurant. Free afternoon to explore the basilica grounds and chapels, climb to the chapel on Tepeyac Hill, partake in personal devotions or return to the hotel. Dinner on our own. Overnight at Hilton Hotel in Mexico City. (CB|L)

Day 9: Mexico City | Xochimilco

This morning depart for Xochimilco to enjoy a boat ride to see the famous hanging gardens of Xochimilco. Visit the 16th century Monastery of San Bernardino. Free time to explore the quaint open air market followed by Mass at the colorful local chapel in marketplace. Enjoy lunch at Hacienda de Tlalpan, then return to Mexico City. Free time in the late afternoon. Simple farewell dinner at Hilton Hotel and overnight at Hilton Hotel in Mexico City. (CB|L|D)

Day 10: Departure

Depart today for the Mexico International Airport for your return flights to the USA (please arrange flights after 12:00 pm to join the group transfer to the airport).

CB-Continental Breakfast L-Lunch D-Dinner

*Itinerary as presented is subject to final confirmation