Day 1 
- Chicago to Mexico City
- Transfer to Puebla
- Chapel of the Rosary
- Welcome Dinner
Day 2
- Puebla City
- Our Lady of Good Remedy
- Church of Tonantzintla
- Puebla Cathedral
Day 3
- Mexico City
- Blessed Miguel Pro
- Anthropology Museum
- Buena Vista Market
- Mexico City
Day 4
- Guadalupe
- Pyramids of Teotihuacan
- Tulpetlac
Day 5
- Our Lady of Guadalupe
Day 6
- Old Mexico City
- Zocalo
- Return to USA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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LEGEND: (M = Aircraft Meals / B = Breakfast / D = Dinner)

Day 1: Monday, December 8TH, 2008 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) - U.S.A. to México City
Meet your Tour Director, at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport Terminal #5 by the AeroMexico Airlines Ticket Counter (airfare available from other cities, please call us for price difference - for those departing from other cities, you will meet your Tour Director in Mexico City). Accompanied by your Tour Director, depart Chicago on your non-stop flight to Mexico City via AeroMexico Airlines. Upon arrival meet Guillermo, your official government certified Tour Guide. Airport Skycaps take care of your checked luggage (1 piece per person) and then transfer to your hotel in Puebla in your private motor-coach. Holy Mass is celebrated at the beautiful and most famous Chapel of the Rosary in a spirit of thanksgiving for a safe arrival. Afterwards, join your fellow pilgrims for a “Welcome to Mexico” dinner and orientation at the hotel’s restaurant. (M, D)

Day 2: Tuesday, December 9TH, 2008 (Feast of St. Juan Diego) - Cholula: Our Lady of Good Remedy / Church of Tonantzintla // Puebla: Puebla Cathedral / Talavera Market: After breakfast, depart for Cholula where reputably, the largest pyramid in the world can be found. You may climb the pyramid/hill (if you wish). On top of the pyramid lies the beautiful Church of Our Lady of Good Remedy. Cholula has a very rich history of different epochs of México. This is where Hernán Cortes accomplished a controversial but very important victory for the conquest of México. It is also here where the world famous ‘Cinco de Mayo’ (May 5th) battle occurred, where Mexicans were able to win a great victory that temporarily detained the French imperialism in Mexico. Cholula also claims to have a Chapel for every day of the year! Later, visit the Church of Tonantzintla where the most beautiful example of Indo-Christian decoration can be admired. Return to Puebla, the fourth largest city in México and a great example of Spanish colonial architecture. The Puebla region is famous for its beautiful Churches and its hand painted ‘Talavera’ tiles. Visit the unforgettable Cathedral of Puebla (2nd largest in the country). Then stop at an old Spanish house for a delicious lunch buffet and some great music from the University of Puebla students. After lunch, visit a Talavera factory/shop to view some amazing works of art in Talavera ceramics, as well as an opportunity to purchase unique souvenirs. Mass in the evening at one of Puebla’s historic churches. Dinner on your own in Puebla. (B, L)

Day 3: Wednesday, December 10TH - Mexico City: Holy Family (Blessed Miguel Pro) / Anthropology Museum / Buena Vista Market: Depart Puebla today and travel through the State of Mexico into the D.F., that is the Distrito Federal (Federal District) where we find Mexico City. If weather cooperates, we should be able to enjoy majestic views of Mexico’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd highest peaks (including the legendary volcanoes of Popocatepetl and Itzaccihuatl). Arrive in Mexico City to visit the Church of the Holy Family. This Church contains the remains of Blessed Padre Miguel Pro, the famous martyr Priest of Mexico whose death (documented in pictures) forced the government to allow the practice of Catholicism back in the open . Holy Mass is celebrated here. Then travel to the Forest of Chapultepec for a fascinating tour of the impressive Museum of Anthropology, world famous and renowned as the principal source of information about the archeological and cultural composition of México and America. As one of the world’s largest of its kind, the museum presents an impressive permanent collection of artifacts and exhibitions that demonstrate the daily life of México’s indigenous people. A buffet lunch has been prepared for our group at the museum. A shopping stop follows at the Mercado Buena Vista with a great variety of original Mexican handicrafts. Afterwards check-in at our hotel in Mexico City. This evening, share your stories with your fellow pilgrims at hotel’s roof lounge, admiring the city’s sunset (Mexico City orientation meeting). Then join the group for dinner at one of the hotel’s restaurants. (B, L, D)

 
 

Day 4: Thursday, December 11TH - Guadalupe / Pyramids of Teotihuacán / Tulpetlac - Site of St. Juan Diego’s Home (Our Lady’s 5th Apparition): Enjoy a delicious breakfast and prepare for a memorable travel day. On your way out of town, pass by the ‘Plaza de las Tres Culturas’ (3 Cultures Square). Filled with Pre and Post Columbian history, this square represents the cultures of México. Taking the longest avenue in Mexico, ‘Avenida de los Insurgentes’ (Insurgents Avenue), depart the Federal District (equivalent to our District of Columbia) to the State of México to visit the most sacred Sanctuary in all of México, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe. A video introduction of the Guadalupe story will be shown onboard. Until now our pilgrimage has been an introduction in order to better understand the cultural background that led to the construction of this impressive complex where the Virgin Mary appeared to the humble Native American Juan Diego (now St. Juan Diego). An event that inspired the conversion of millions of Native Americans of that time. Upon arrival our tour guides have prepared for us a brief presentation on the many amazing facts regarding St. Juan Diego’s Ayate at one of the Guadalupe gift shops (there will be a restroom break here with a brief shopping time). Afterwards, our group departs the gift shop with a flower arrangement for Our Lady. We proceed to visit the New Basilica where the original ‘ayate’ of St. Juan Diego is specially adorned for the Feast Day and is prominently displayed for all to see. Our group will move closer to the area right underneath the ayate where a moving platform continually moves pilgrims from one side to the other in order to keep safety and guarantee that all pilgrims get to see Our Lady (you will have another opportunity to re-visit this most famous and divine work of art tomorrow). Then visit the famous “bent” Cross of the Altar and the imposing statue of John Paul The Great. After our first visit to “La Villa”(where the Shrine of Our Lady is) , we stop at a ‘posada’ for a delicious lunch buffet. After a restful lunch, we visit the amazing complex of pyramids and temples that make the mysterious City of Teotihuacán, one of the best preserved pre-Columbian cities in the Americas. Teotihuacán was the most important city in North America around 500 AD, with a population of approximately 200,000 inhabitants. This visit gives us a better idea of the culture and indigenous customs of St. Juan Diego’s ancestors. Before departing the area, witness the different and very important ancient uses of the Maguey plant (from the Cactus family) and its relationship to the ‘ayate’ of St. Juan Diego. We end this memorable day with a visit to St. Juan Diego’s old home which is the site of the fifth apparition of Our Lady. A church and a well with spring water now stand at the site where Our Lady appeared and cured Juan Diego’s uncle. If we are fortunate, we will descend under the Altar to the place where Our Lady appeared and gave us her name of Our Lady of Guadalupe. There will be an opportunity to get spring water to bring home. Holy Mass has been requested here. (B, L)

Day 5: Friday, December 12th (Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe) - Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe: After the breakfast buffet, return today for a full day visit to Guadalupe during her glorious Feast Day. Complete the tour of the Guadalupe complex with a guided visit to the remaining chapels, gardens and places of importance (as time allows). Climb the “Cerrito de Tepeyac” (Tepeyac Hill) in a Rosary procession until we reach the “Capilla del Cerrito” (Chapel of the Little Hill) that commemorates the place of the first apparition. Then visit the Old Basilica where Our Lord is perpetually exposed in the Blessed Sacrament. After making our visit to the Blessed Sacrament, return to the new Basilica to attend Holy Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. Remainder of the day is at leisure for personal prayer and confessions at the Shrine. End today’s unforgettable pilgrimage with one more visit to the image of Our Lady. Later, join your new family for a farewell dinner remembering all the good times spent together as pilgrims. (B, D)

Day 6: Saturday, December 13th, 2008 – Visit to Old Mexico City (Zocalo with its Cathedral and surroundings): The last day commences with our last breakfast as the luggage is being loaded into the motor-coach. Afterwards, enjoy a panoramic tour of this legendary city, renowned as the world’s largest city. Drive by the monument to Benito Juarez, the Alameda Park and the historic and gorgeous ‘Palacio de Bellas Artes’ (Palace of Fine Arts) until we arrive at Old Mexico City. Here we visit the Zócalo, the second largest square in the world. It is located in the center of the old and once powerful Aztec Capital of Tenochtitlán, where ruins of its “Templo Mayor” (major temple) can still be observed. On one side of the square we can admire the “Palacio Nacional” (National Palace), where in addition to being Mexico’s current Presidential Offices, was also the place where Hernan Cortes established his first residence and offices. On the opposite side lies the monumental Cathedral Metropolitana, built with stones of the old Aztec temples. This massive Church rivals those of Europe. Our farewell Mass is celebrated here in a spirit of thanksgiving for a fruitful pilgrimage. After Mass, depart for Benito Juarez International Airport with plenty of time for check in and extra security. As your flight takes off, take one last look at a land filled with history and culture; a land that gained the love and admiration of our late Holy Father; a land where our Lady converted and continues to convert many, many people! (B)

“¡Adiós México! Te quiero mi Guadalupe.”
There is US Immigration and US Customs upon arrival in the U.S.A. Welcome Home
 

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6 - Day Trip Inclusions:

  • Round Trip Air Transportation* from Chicago’s O’Hare to Mexico City via AeroMéxico Airlines. (Airfare available from other cities – call for price difference)

  • Round trip airport/hotel/airport transfers in Mexico in private Air Conditioned Motorcoach (for those traveling with group from Chicago – and those arriving before group arrives)

  • Accommodations in Puebla and Mexico City.

  • 11 Meals: 5 breakfasts, 3 Buffet Lunches and 3 Dinners (most beverages not included).

  • Private motorcoach transportation with driver.

  • Full touring program including Panoramic, Archeological and Cultural

  • Tours to Historical and Religious places of interest.

  • All entrance ticket fees to compliment the itinerary.

  • Spiritual Program including Rosaries, Meditations, Holy Mass & Sacrament of the Reconciliation.

  • Breakfast service, Lunch, Dinner & Bell Captain gratuities

  • Local, Sales & Hospitality Taxes

  • Catholic Priest as Pilgrimage Chaplain/Spiritual Director.

  • Official tour guide certified by the Mexican Government.

  • Tour Director/coordinator: Juan Landa from Mater Dei Tours
     

Does Not Include:

  • U.S. & Mexico’s airport fees, departure fees, transportation taxes, & fuel
    surcharges (approximately $175)

  • Tour Guide’s gratuity (Suggested: $6 per day, per person)

  • Bus Driver (Suggested: $3 per day, per person)
     

   Price: $1299.00*
* (Per person, double occupancy. Plus Taxes, Fees & Fuel Surcharges of approximately $175.00 per person)

  • Optional Single Occupancy = $1499.00 (limited supply)
  • Optional Land Only:  $1050.00 per person based on double room (additional $200.00 for single room land only)
  • Optional Triple Occupancy:  $1279.00 per person based on triple
  • Optional Travel Insurance:  $108.00 per person
  • Deposit of $500 per person is due to secure space (October 01, 2008 or while space lasts)
  • Balance is due on November 03, 2008

Cancellation Schedule:

  • All Cancellations must be received in writing!
  • 95 days prior to departure or before...................$300.00 per person
  • 94 to 65 days prior to departure.........................$50% of tour cost
  • 64 to 35 days prior to departure ........................$75% of tour cost
  • 34 to 0 days prior to departure .......................No Refunds

 

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