Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City & Puebla de Los Angeles

Join your fellow Pilgrims for a seven day spiritual retreat for youth and their families.  Our Spiritual Leader will be Father Eduardo Ortega.  Also accompanying us will be a tour organizer form the Rio Grande Valley.  A licensed, professional guide will join us in Mexico city.  Except on long days of travel Mass will be celebrated daily as we grow in our faith and understanding of our religion.

Day 1 – Friday, July 22, 2022   Fly from Reynosa To Mexico City.   Here we meet our charter bus and driver and our Mexican guide who will accompany us throughout our seven day Pilgrimage.  After boarding our coach, we will travel directly to the Basilica to offer thanks for our safe journey.  Our guide will take us first to view the tilma that San Juan Diego wore when the the Virgin appeared to him.  Once the guide has acquainted you with the location of different sights you will have time to explore and visit these special places on your own.  Overnight in Mexico City                

DAY 2 – SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2022   After your included breakfast, we travel to Chapultecec, a beautiful park crowned by the castle where Maximilian and Carlota lived.  It was here that the young cadets gave their lives rather than be taken by the enemy.  Then travel downtown to the main square called the Zocalo to visit the National Palace and the National Cethedral.  Here we will see the famous Diego Rivera murals that tell the story of the conquest and growth of Mexico.  Also included will be a visit to the National Cathedral where we attend Mass.  Time for lunch on your own. Overnight in Mexico City – BB

Day 3 – Sunday, July 24, 2022   Today we travel to Coyoacan, a beautiful tree shaded older part of the city.  It is Market Day but first let us visit the beautiful church of San Juan Bautista where Father Eduardo will celebrate Mass.  Then we can explore the market where churros and fresh brewed coffee may tempt us.  Or perhaps an ice cream at one of the shops on the square would please you more.  Later we journey to Xochimilco – the Floating Gardens – Where lunch is included.  Return through the Pedregal passing the Azteca Stadium and the University of Mexico as we travel back to our hotel.   Those who wish may want to see an evening performance of the famous Balet Folklorico, a presentation of Mexican dance telling the history of Mexico.  Tickets to this performance are not included but the guide can make arrangement for your purchase.  Overnight in Mexico City – BB, L

Day 4 – Monday, July 25, 2022   Today after breakfast we leave Mexico City to travel to Puebla, the City of Angels where we spend the next two nights.  En route we will stop at Teotihuacan with the Pyramid to the Moon and the Pyramid to the Sun where from the top you have a glorious view of the surrounding area.  Enjoy an included lunch before we continue to Puebla.   Visit the Cathedral right on the main plaza.     Overnight in Puebla – BB, L

Day 5 – Tuesday, July 26, 2022   Join the group for breakfast before we begin our day of adventure.  Walk to the Church of San Fernando where we visit the Chapel of the Rosary,  an awesome chapel covered from floor to ceiling in gold leaf.  Puebla is famous for the Battle of Cinco de Mayo, Talavera tiles and dishes, the China Poblano, mole, chiles en nogado and sweet potato candy.  Visit the Forts of Loreto for a beautiful overview of the city as well as a visit to the Parian, a market place where you can buy a sample of the candy or a momento to take home.  Even if we should spens a whole week in Puebla, it is doubtful if we could visit all the churches, museums and universities in this city.  Overnight in Puebla – B

Day 6 – Wednesday, July 27, 2022   After breakfast we venture outside of the city to Ocotlan with a well of healing waters.  Then continue to Cholula and the Church of the Remedies – Iglesia de Los Remedios – which is built on top of a Pyramid.  Overnight in Mexico City – B

Day 7, Thursday, July 28, 2022   Today we return to the Basilica with time to say good bye to Our Blessed Mother.  Depart after lunch for our mid afternoon flight back to Reynosa and the Rio Grande Valley.  Our hearts and our minds are no doubt overflowing with the friendships we have made, with the expanded knowledge we now have from the things we have learned in seven days and with a spiritual growth in our faith which should stay with us for the rest of our lives.  B