Day 1: Welcome Mass & Dinner

We arrive in Mexico City

in the afternoon and are met by our tour guide who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We celebrate Mass, welcome dinner at Hotel (terrace if it does not rain) and introductory meeting. Overnight in Mexico City.

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Day 2: Tlatelolco - The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Breakfast at the hotel

Visit the Square of the Three Cultures in Tlatelolco and St. James Church, the place where Juan Diego was baptized. We will spend all day at the Shrine: This morning we visit and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Following Mass, we tour the grounds. We ascend Tepeyac Hill to visit the Capilla del Cerrito, the place of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego in 1531. Next, we see Tepeyac Garden and its statues symbolizing the union of the Aztec people and the Spanish Christian mission. A stop at the Chapel of the Indians completes the tour. Time for personal prayers

and souvenirs shopping that can be blessed at the Shrine.

** Mass at Shrine: up to now the Shrine does not allow to celebrate Mass in the upper chapels. They allow celebrating at the MAIN ALTAR only if Mass is said in Spanish. In case Mass cannot be said in Spanish we can reserve one of the Churches or Chapels at the Shrine Campus

Dinner at the hotel

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Day 3: Tulpetlac - Teotihuacan

Breakfast at hotel

After breakfast, transfer to the Church of the 5th Apparition, where the Blessed Virgin Maria de Guadalupe appeared to Juan Bernardino, Juan Diego's uncle. Here you can find a well of healing water that locals drink from. Mass can be celebrated here at this important holy site. Departure to San Juan Teotihuacan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to mythology, this pre-Aztec site was chosen to be the center of the universe, and from then on, it became a prominent political and religious center from the second century until the ninth century. While in San Juan Teotihuacan, you will enjoy lunch at La Gruta restaurant, which offers traditional Mayan dishes in a cave. Lunch is followed by a guided tour of the Archaeological zone. View the pyramids of the Sun and Moon and learn how the Aztecs used to work the obsidian stone and the multiple uses of the Maguey Plant.

Return to the hotel.

Open Dinner

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Day 4: Fr. Miguel Pro - Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption - Historic Center

Breakfast at hotel

After breakfast, we will visit the tomb of the great martyr of the Cristero War, Fr Miguel Pro, pray Lauds and have time for personal prayer. We will then visit the inspirational Fr Pro Museum which tells the story of the many martyrs during this time of persecution and houses many relics of this great saint.

Open lunch in the historic center.

After lunch, we will tour Mexico City. We will be visiting the historical center. Mass at the beautiful Church of “Nuestra Señora del Pilar”. Time to walk the beautiful pedestrian alley of Francisco y Madero. From start to end, it is home to noteworthy buildings from both colonial and contemporary times such as: Casa de los

Azulejos, or “House of Tiles,”, the Temple of San Francisco was the headquarters of the first twelve Franciscan monks sent to Mexico to evangelize in the viceroyalty of New Spain. The Temple of San Felipe Neri, or commonly referred to as La Profesa, is a Baroque-style parish church that was constructed by Jesuits in the

late 16th century. The building is home to a gallery that holds an important collection of paintings from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries from artists such as Juan Correa, Miguel Cabrera, amongst others. Last but least the Palacio de Iturbide a mansion built by the Count of San Mateo de Valparaíso for his daughter in 1779. You will tour the oldest and largest Cathedral in all of Latin America, the Metropolitan Cathedral of

the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. You will be overwhelmed by the stunning paintings, altar pieces, and statues. Time for lunch, personal prayers and some more shopping. Transfer back to your hotel and get ready for your farewell dinner with entertainment

Farewell dinner -Villa Maria

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Day 5: Depart

Breakfast at hotel and transport to the airport for your flight home.

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Optional Extension: Puebla

Breakfast at hotel

After breakfast, transfer to Puebla, a city known for its delicious food, beautiful churches, and rich cultural scene. Enter the breathtaking Cathedral, Templo Conventual San Francisco, and Capilla Rosario, and be amazed at their grandeur. Opportunity for Mass and prayer.

Enjoy lunch at your leisure, sampling Puebla's famous dishes such as mole, or cemita. Continue on to see Callejon de Los Sapos Market in downtown Puebla, where you’ll find vintage treasures from the past. Stroll the magnificent neighborhoods full of color before heading to the classy Intercontinental Presidente Hotel for dinner and accommodation. 

 

Optional Extension: Girlstown

Breakfast at hotel

After breakfast, transfer to Girlstown, run by the Sisters of Mary. Have the amazing experience of meeting, praying, and playing with the girls who radiate joy and love for the Lord. Spend the day getting to know them and be transformed and moved to the heart by the power of love.  Learn more about this amazing place below:

 

Children arrive in early January for the start of the school year. Many of the first-year students are amazed to find that for the first time in their lives, they have their own bed and clothing that belong just to them. Many also need to be taught how to use the toilets and showers as their homes had no running water. The children are divided into groups of about 50, which they refer to as families. These families eat their meals together, share a sleeping area, and have their own Mother-Sister – a Sister of Mary assigned to care for that group. Children also receive regular medical and dental care while at school. middle and high school education and children spend about 6 years going through our program. They are taught a range of subjects including math, natural sciences, social sciences, English, Spanish and/or other local languages, religion, music, and art.

 

Our students receive intensive vocational training tailored to local industries and businesses. Welding, electronics, computer and mechanical drafting, automotive mechanics, carpentry, cooking, dressmaking, graphic design, and jewelry making are some of the skills students learn through our programs. Boys and girls also participate in several sports while at our schools. They live at the school year-round, returning home to visit their families over the Christmas holiday.

 

They are also given the opportunity to nurture their mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. They receive faith formation, allowing them to learn and go deeper into their faith. Counseling and emotional support are offered, as well. Many of our students have endured a lot in their young lives, and we see the importance of giving them a safe place to discuss those matters.