February 18 – 24, 2024

“Am I not here who is your Mother?” … Join Father Adam Hertzfeld for a Marian pilgrimage of a lifetime! Learn the incredibly important role the Blessed Mother’s apparition at Guadalupe played in rooting Catholicism in the hearts of those in the Western Hemisphere. Words cannot express the beauty of the Mexican cathedrals and shrines. Visit Tepeyac Hill, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and view the miraculous image, venerate the relics of Bl. Miguel Pro and Bl. Sebastian de Aparicio, and visit the famed Mexican heritage sites of Teotihuacan and Puebla. Fr. Hertzfeld will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass daily at many of these holy sites.

CLICK HERE to Download the REGISTRATION FORM

Travel Itinerary*
*Subject to change

Day 1 – Feb 18:  Depart from DETROIT (DTW) for your flight to Mexico City
Transfer to the city of Puebla, one of the most beautiful Mexican colonial cities which was founded by the Spaniards in 1531 to shelter people who traveled from Veracruz to Mexico City. Dinner and overnight in your hotel in Puebla. (D)

Day 2 – Feb 19:  PUEBLA – OCOTLAN – SAN MIGUEL DE LOS MILAGROS – TLAXCALA
After breakfast we will depart to the State of Tlaxcala. First visit: Basilica of Our Lady of Ocotlán; you will admire the miraculous and perfectly preserved image of Our Lady. The image was found in a burned Ocote tree, after She appeared to the visionary Juan Diego Bernardino in 1541. Mass and time for collecting healing water from the well. We will continue to San Miguel de los Milagros. This is site where St. Michael the Archangel appeared to Diego Lazaro un 1631, directed him to the Grotto and to a well of miraculous healing water. Today the well is pretty dry, but we can get some of the water from the sacristy. (Bring your bottle with you). Time for lunch in Tlaxcala. Tlaxcala is capital of the smallest state in Mexico. Discover the Palace de la Constitution (exterior views) and its colonial buildings: the municipal palace, the courthouse, and the government palace. We will visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption where the first three martyrs of America are venerated (Blesseds Cristobal, Antonio, and Juan), whose canonization was approved by Pope Francis in March 2017, and the former convent Franciscan of the Assumption, built in 1537. Return to Puebla for overnight at your hotel. (B, L)

Day 3 – Feb 20:  PUEBLA – MEXICO CITY
After breakfast, Mass will be celebrated at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary in the Church of Santo Domingo. Continue to sightseeing of historical center, including the magnificent Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, to view the body of Blessed Sebastian de Aparicio whose body remains incorrupt until today. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by some time to shop at “el Parian”, a handcraft market where you can find famous Talavera pottery, a style of majolica pottery recognizable by a milky-white glaze. We will also stroll around the “Candy Street“ and select from old-fashioned candies, traditional sweets and cookies. Be sure to try traditional camotes, which is a signature sweet in Puebla made from sweet potato. Departure to Mexico City for overnight in our centrally located hotel. (B, L)

Day 4 – Feb 21:  MEXICO CITY – SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE – TEOTIHUACAN
After breakfast, drive to visit the Three Cultures Square, so called because of the different stages of Mexican History that can be clearly appreciated there: an Aztec ruin, the Church of Santiago Tlatelolco with the baptismal font of Juan Diego, modern skyscrapers and a housing unit. Continue to the Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The Shrine has become one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Catholics, and its history dates back to 1531, when a devout, poor Indian man named Juan Diego (an Aztec convert to Christianity) received a vision of the Virgin Mary on Tepeyac Hill near what is now Mexico City. After Mass in one of the Shrine’s chapels on site, we will have time to explore the grounds and to kneel in front of the centuries old Tilma where Our Lady’s image was miraculously printed. Continue to Teotihuacan one of the most powerful cultural centers in Mesoamerica, a prominent political and religious center with complexes of monumental buildings such as the Citadel and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the Calzada de los Muertos and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Lunch at a local restaurant with live music and native dancers followed by a guided tour which will reveal to you how the Aztecs lived. (B, L)

Day 5 – Feb 22:  XOCHIMILCO
After breakfast, head to Coyoacan, a charming neighborhood known for its traditional and bohemian styles, to visit the Church of St. John the Baptist. Continue south to Xochimilco where Holy Mass will be held in a church built in the XVI century by the Franciscan missionaries. Later on, ride along the flower laden canals while enjoying lunch on board a “trajinera”, a Mexican gondola. En-route back to the hotel, a stop will be made at the Museum of Anthropology where an impressive collection of artifacts from Pre-Hispanic civilizations in Mexico is kept. (B, L)

Day 6 – FEB 23:  CITY CENTER & FATHER MIGUEL PRO
After breakfast, visit Holy Family Church, where you will view the tomb of Fr. Miguel Agustin Pro, the Jesuit martyr. In a time of great religious persecutions, Fr. Pro was exiled from Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. However, he returned to Mexico and was aided by a secret ministry who helped him hide from authorities. During his time in Mexico, he assisted many individuals in their spiritual, as well as temporal, needs. He was eventually discovered, arrested and killed by authorities. Pray to this great martyr who remained filled with the joy of serving Our Lord even in the midst of very difficult times. You will also visit the small but very inspiring Museum dedicated in honor of Father Pro. After the celebration of Holy Mass, continue to the Zocalo (main square) of Mexico City to visit the largest cathedral in the Americas, as well as the National Palace (visit from outside). Lunch on your own. We head to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe to bid farewell to the Empress of the Americas. There will be time to pray and explore the grounds on your own. Tonight farewell dinner out with mariachis. (B, D)

Day 7 – Feb 24:  RETURN TO THE USA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our return flight home. (B)

NOTES:  While no changes are anticipated, there may be occasions when sequence and days of visits may change and certain alterations become necessary due to changes and or closures that our beyond our control. We are not responsible for any changes to entry/travel requirements put into effect by Governments, Health Organizations, Airlines, transfer countries, arriving countries, return country, museums, Churches, restaurants etc. We are not responsible for any or all changes / cancellations / interruptions caused by Force majeure. Arriving and departing flights may affect the first and last day itinerary. All Mass locations listed are subject to final confirmation.

You must be physically fit and capable of walking on uneven terrain and being on your feet all day. (Foreign entities do not have the “American Disabilities Act” – accommodations in the US are not available in many other countries.) Everyone is responsible for handling their own luggage and keeping pace with the group.

To register for this pilgrimage please read, complete and sign the registration form, and the Health release form and return with your deposit. In todays uncertain times all prices are subject to change prior to departure due to major currency fluctuations, changes in fuel prices and/or unforeseen economic circumstances beyond our control.

[Click to download Travel Itinerary and Registration Form]

Pilgrims may leave from ANY AIRPORT with additional cost of airfare, please contact Maggie if you are interested in this option. For additional information or to join us contact us at 419-290-8782 or maggie@CatholicFaithJourneys.com

COST

The discount price of $3,169.00 per person is enjoyed by those paying with Cash or Check (based on a minimum of 25 participants with double occupancy). Pilgrims may leave from ANY AIRPORT, but please contact Maggie to arrange flights from another domestic or international airport. DO NOT BOOK AIRFARE WITHOUT SPEAKING WITH MAGGIE!

Included:

• Roundtrip international airfare from DTW to Mexico City
•  6 Nights 4-star hotels
•  6 Breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 Dinners
•  English speaking guides
•  Private motor coach throughout
•  Transfers from international airport
•  Daily Mass, locations pending
•  Entrance fees as noted in itinerary
•  All tips to guides, driver, porters, maids, wait staff at hotels/restaurants
•  Taxes and fuel surcharge (subject to increase 30 days prior to departure)

Not Included:

• Optional Travel insurance: (strongly recommended)
•  Meals not mentioned and beverages with meals.
•  Transportation to/from Detroit Metro
•  Items of personal nature
•  Any items not specifically mentioned
• Any unforeseen requirements / tests that may become necessary in the future.
• Any airline imposed baggage fees.
•  Limited Single rooms **Call Maggie for availability and cost, 419-290-8782

**Catholic Faith Journeys, LLC cannot change the cancellation terms or conditions based on the issuance of any warning or advisory issued by the State Department or Center of Disease Control, or the occurrence of any terror, health or other incident in one or more of the places this pilgrimage is scheduled to visit. All cancellation penalties remain in full force and effect. You are strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect your financial investment and any health issues you may have while traveling.

Click Here to Download the Registration Form!