A 6-Day Catholic Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Mexico City

BOOKING DEADLINE- 28 FEBRUARY

Embark on a profound spiritual journey to the heart of Mexico, where faith, history, and culture intertwine at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Over five days, pilgrims will walk in the footsteps of St. Juan Diego, entering into the mystery of the 1531 apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Tepeyac Hill.

This pilgrimage is not simply a visit, but a deeply prayerful encounter with the Mother of God who came as Madre de los Pueblos—Mother of all peoples—bridging cultures, languages, and hearts. Through daily Mass, communal prayer, guided meditations, and opportunities for silent reflection, pilgrims will experience the call of Our Lady to deeper faith, hope, and love.

In addition to visiting the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Tepeyac Hill, and the surrounding chapels, the pilgrimage includes guided visits to the Aztec ruins of Teotihuacan, the Templo Mayor in the heart of Mexico City, and the Aztec canals of Xochimilco (also known as the "Venice of Mexico"). These sites reveal the spiritual world into which Our Lady of Guadalupe entered, a world marked by both deep longing for God and profound suffering. By prayerfully reflecting on the indigenous roots of faith and the symbols that Our Lady used to speak to the native peoples, pilgrims will come to see more clearly how the message of Guadalupe transforms cultures and hearts alike.

Along the way, pilgrims will receive teaching on the profound symbolism of the miraculous tilma, discover the theological and historical depth of the Guadalupe event, and engage in moments of prayerful silence, journaling, and group sharing. Each site visit will be framed not simply as a historical excursion, but as a spiritual encounter that opens the heart to God’s action in history and in the pilgrim’s own life.

By the end of the pilgrimage, participants will not only have learned the history and theology of the Guadalupe apparition, but also experienced it as a living encounter that calls each soul to conversion, renewal, and mission. This journey offers a sacred space to surrender to God through Mary, to rediscover one’s vocation as a disciple, and to return home renewed in faith and spirit, carrying the timeless message of Guadalupe: Am I not here, I who am your Mother?

Travel Itinerary

Outbound – Monday, July 20, 2026

Indianapolis (IND) → Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)

• Flight: American Airlines 2782

• Departs: 6:00 AM

• Arrives: 7:31 AM

• Nonstop

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) → Mexico City (MEX)

• Flight: American Airlines 393

• Departs: 10:23 AM

• Arrives: 12:10 PM

• Nonstop

Pilgrims arrive in Mexico City and are welcomed with a warm transfer to Casa González, a quiet and hospitable retreat in the heart of the city. After settling in, the journey begins with an Opening Mass, entrusting the days ahead to God’s providence and to the maternal care of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This first liturgy sets the tone for the pilgrimage: one of prayer, openness, and readiness to encounter the living God through Mary’s presence.

In the evening, the group boards the bus for a visit to the historic Zócalo, the central square of Mexico City. Here, surrounded by the grandeur of colonial architecture and the very ground where the encounter of Spanish and indigenous cultures unfolded, pilgrims are invited to reflect on the complex history that forms the backdrop of the Guadalupe event. The evening meal, shared in community at a restaurant overlooking the Zócalo, becomes a moment of fellowship, gratitude, and anticipation for the days to come.

Returning to Casa González, pilgrims rest for the night, holding in their hearts the prayer of beginning: that this pilgrimage may be not only a journey through sacred places, but a journey of interior transformation.

The day begins quietly at Casa González with breakfast and a morning talk by Deacon Carlos, who prepares the group spiritually to encounter Our Lady in the place where she revealed herself to St. Juan Diego. His reflection invites pilgrims to approach the Basilica not as tourists, but as children coming home to their Mother.

The group then boards the bus and journeys to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the spiritual heart of Mexico. Upon arrival, pilgrims receive an orientation and guided tour by Msgr. Eduardo Chávez, postulator for the canonization of St. Juan Diego. His personal insight into the story of the apparitions and the miraculous tilma opens the depth of the Guadalupe message—one of unity, tenderness, and trust in God’s providence.

The high point of the morning is the celebration of Mass within the Basilica, before the sacred image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Here, pilgrims are invited to place their lives, intentions, and struggles at the feet of the Mother who promised her protection: “Am I not here, I who am your Mother?”

Following Mass, the group shares a picnic lunch on the Basilica grounds, with simple to-go meals prepared by the hotel. The afternoon offers a balance of reflection talks, quiet time for personal prayer, and visits to the Basilica grounds, including the Museo Guadalupano, which displays devotional art, history, and treasures that tell the story of Our Lady’s enduring presence in Mexico.

Returning to Casa González, the group shares a relaxed dinner together, followed by a social night and cocktail reception. This gathering offers time for pilgrims to deepen friendships, share first impressions, and reflect on the grace of the day.

The evening closes with rest at Casa González, the heart filled with gratitude for the first full day under the gaze of Our Lady.

The morning begins at Casa González with breakfast and a spiritual talk, grounding the group in prayer before venturing deeper into the story of faith and culture that shaped the message of Guadalupe.

The first stop is the Zócalo, Mexico City’s grand historic square, where pilgrims gather for Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral. Rising from the foundations of an ancient Aztec temple, the Cathedral itself becomes a living symbol of faith’s triumph and continuity. Celebrating the Eucharist here invites reflection on how God’s grace enters human history, transforming cultures without erasing their dignity.

Following Mass, the pilgrimage turns to the Templo Mayor, the remains of the great Aztec temple that once stood at the center of the Mexica world. A guided visit to the ruins and museum reveals the indigenous spiritual longing that prepared the soil for Mary’s coming to Tepeyac. This encounter deepens pilgrims’ understanding of how Our Lady spoke directly into the hearts of the native peoples, meeting them within their own symbols and worldview.

After a short coffee and rest break, the group enjoys lunch at El Mayor, a restaurant overlooking the Templo Mayor ruins, where pilgrims dine with a view of history beneath them and the Cathedral beside them—a striking reminder of Mexico’s layered story of faith.

In the afternoon, the pilgrimage returns to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe for free time in personal prayer, an opportunity to sit quietly before the tilma and entrust one’s life more deeply to Mary. The group then gathers for a talk, vigil, and adoration, entering into the stillness of the evening under Our Lady’s maternal gaze.

The day concludes with dinner at the historic Casa de los Azulejos (Sanborns), a landmark of colonial Mexico filled with beauty and hospitality. Afterwards, pilgrims experience the Ballet Folklórico de México at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, where vibrant dance and music offer a glimpse into the richness of Mexican culture that Our Lady of Guadalupe continues to embrace and sanctify.

The evening ends with a return to Casa González, carrying the grace of the day: a deeper awareness of how God meets His people in history, culture, and prayer.

The morning begins simply with coffee and traditional Mexican conchas, sweet bread that has nourished generations of families. From Casa González, pilgrims set out on a short walk to the Church of the Sagrada Familia, a place sanctified by the witness of Blessed Miguel Pro, the Jesuit martyr who gave his life during the

religious persecutions of the 1920s. Here, the group celebrates Mass and prayer, standing where Fr. Pro’s relics are venerated. A visit to the museum allows pilgrims to encounter his story of courage, humor, and steadfast faith, reminding all that holiness flourishes even amid trials.

Afterward, the pilgrimage continues to the Club de Banqueros, where a hearty brunch and reflections provide both nourishment and space to share how God has been speaking through the journey. This time of community deepens the bonds among pilgrims as they process the graces received.

In the afternoon, the group travels to Xochimilco, the famed “Venice of Mexico,” where colorful trajinera boats carry pilgrims along ancient canals once used by the Aztecs. With music and drinks on board, the atmosphere turns to joy and fellowship, celebrating the beauty of God’s creation and the vibrancy of Mexican culture. Laughter and song on the waters become an expression of gratitude to the Lord who calls His people to joy.

Returning to the city in the evening, pilgrims savor a traditional “street taco” dinner paired with fresh churros, experiencing the richness of local flavors in the most authentic way.

The final full day of pilgrimage begins with breakfast and a morning talk at Casa González, inviting pilgrims to prepare their hearts for a day that unites ancient history with the enduring presence of Our Lady.

The group then travels to the majestic pyramids of Teotihuacan, once the spiritual center of the Aztec world. A guided tour unveils the mystery of this sacred site, where humanity’s search for the divine was expressed through vast temples to the sun and moon. Standing among these ruins, pilgrims reflect on the longing for God written into every culture—and how Our Lady of Guadalupe fulfilled that longing by revealing Christ as the true Light of the world.

After lunch near Teotihuacan, the pilgrimage continues to the Santuario de la Quinta Aparición Guadalupana, the site of Mary’s final appearance in 1531, where she healed Juan Diego’s dying uncle, Juan Bernardino. Here, pilgrims pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, entering into the mystery of Mary as healer and intercessor, and lifting up their own loved ones in need of God’s mercy.

The journey then returns to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the final Mass, vigil, and adoration. This culminating liturgy gathers all the graces of the pilgrimage: days of prayer, encounters with history, fellowship, joy, and silence. Before the tilma, pilgrims are invited to entrust their lives anew to Our Lady, hearing her words as personal and present: “Am I not here, I who am your Mother?”

The evening concludes with a farewell dinner at Montecristo Restaurant, where the group shares a final meal in gratitude and joy, celebrating the bonds formed and the spiritual renewal received.

Travel Itinerary

Return – Saturday, July 25, 2026

Mexico City (MEX) → Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)

• Flight: American Airlines 394

• Departs: 1:10 PM

• Arrives: 5:05 PM

• Nonstop

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) → Indianapolis (IND)

• Flight: American Airlines 2800

• Departs: 7:09 PM

• Arrives: 10:21 PM

• Nonstop

Early morning, pilgrims gather their belongings at Casa González and prepare for departure. The city is just beginning to wake, yet within each heart there is already a quiet stirring of gratitude. What began as a journey to Our Lady has become something deeper: a pilgrimage of personal transformation.

The trip home offers a final space for prayerful reflection. As the group looks back on the days past—the Basilica and the tilma, Tepeyac Hill, the witness of Blessed Miguel Pro, the ruins of Teotihuacan, the joy of Xochimilco, and the meals and laughter shared together—they recognize how God has spoken uniquely to each soul. Mary’s message, “Am I not here, I who am your Mother?” is no longer just words from 1531, but a living promise carried home.