The Shrine at Guadalupe is considered the holiest place in
the western hemisphere. President John F.Kennedy and French
President Charles de Gaulle testified to this during state visits to
Mexico. Pope John Paul II preached to millions of the faithful from
this holy Shrine during his 1979 visit to Mexico. The Basilica
commemorates the Virgin Mary's apparition before a humble Indian and
honors her request that a Shrine be built in her honor. In December
of 1531, Juan Diego informed a skeptical bishop of his encounter
with Mary. A few days later, Juan returned to the site of the vision
and once again Our Mother appeared. The humble man relayed the
Bishop's request for proof of Her visitation, whereupon the Virgin
instructed Juan to gather roses from the frozen, rocky terrain and
present them to the bishop. Remarkably for the cool season, he found
a great number of roses strewn all around. Gathering the roses in a
sackcloth, he hurriedly took them to the bishop. When he opened the
cloak to present the roses to the cleric, it was not only the blooms
that amazed the bishop; but stamped on the humble cloth was an image
of the Virgin! The same miraculous image exists for you to see,
hanging in splendor above the main altar.
Day
1 New York - Mexico City
Depart from New York's JFK Airport or from your home town for the
flight to Mexico City. Upon arrival, you will meet the local guide
for your five-day adventure. Transfer to our hotel for dinner and
overnight.
 Day
2 Mexico City
After breakfast we celebrate Mass at the beautiful colonial church
of Chimalistac in the old suburb of San Angel. Time for prayers and
reflection before lunch at the Hacienda de San Angel Inn. We then
visit the former convent and church of El Carmen and the Church of
Santa Catarina in suburban Coyoacan. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Mexico City
After breakfast we're off to the Museum of Anthropology, an
architectural wonder housing artifacts from Mexico's pre-Columbian
civilizations. After lunch, we travel to the Plaza of Santo Domingo,
the first church built by the Dominicans in 1576. Housed within is
the first rosary shrine in Mexico, Our Lady of the Rosary and
a second shrine, Our Lady of Covadonga (the headquarters of the
Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary founded in 1538). This evening
includes an optional performance at the Palace of Fine Arts of
the acclaimed Mexican Folklore Ballet. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4
Mexico City
Day at leisure to relax, explore the lively city, or take an
optional full day tour to Tlaxcala ($70). Enjoy the panoramic ride
through the mountains as we travel to Tlaxcala and the Shrine of San
Miguel Del Milagro. Celebrate Mass at the site where St Michael the
Archangel appeared to Diego Lazaro in 1631, directing him to the
Grotto and a well of miraculous curative waters. Then see for
yourself the image of Our Lady burnt into a tree trunk, after she
appeared to Juan Diego Bernardino in 1541. Perfectly preserved, the
image in a tree lives on in the Basilica of Our Lady of Ocotland for
all to see. Lunch is included. Return to
hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5
Mexico City
After breakfast, we travel by way of the Plaza of the Three Cultures
to visit the baptismal place of Juan Diego. Our destination is the
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas.
Celebrate Mass in the fiery-colored, modern Basilica dedicated in
1976. Kneel before the altar displaying the astounding Tilma, the
sackcloth bearing the image of the Holy Virgin. In the afternoon we
visit the pyramids of Teoihuacan - the Place of Sun and Moon - the
Temple of Quetzalcoatl, and other ancient structures. Lunch is
included at a restaurant nestled at the foot of the pyramids. Return
to Mexico City for dinner and overnight.
Day 6
Mexico City - USA
Depart Mexico City for our return flight to the US.
Your
Trip Includes
Round-trip flight from New York to Mexico City
5 nights at the Hotel Calinda Geneve (or similar)
Breakfast and dinner daily (lunch provided 3 days)
All transfers in private deluxe motor coach
Luggage handling
Guided tours and entrance fees
Mass daily
Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents
Not
Included: Airport tax of $59. Travel insurance at $99. Tips to
guides & drivers ($5 per day). Optional tour to Tlaxcala ($70).
Optional Mexican ballet performance. Items of a personal nature. |