Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage to Mexico with Fr. DeWayne Kayser

Depart from Sioux Falls and Rapid City Airport* to Mexico City International Airport. Upon arrival, we gather at a designated meeting place in the airport. The Select International Tour’s local Pilgrimage manager will assist with boarding our bus and check in at the hotel. Mass will be celebrated at the hotel in the late afternoon or early evening. We gather for a welcome drink before dinner. Overnight in Mexico City. (Welcome get-together plus dinner at the hotel) *Group airfare does not permit us to assign specific seats. If specific seating on the airplane is an important feature of the trip for you, please purchase your own flights and purchase the land-only portion of the trip with us.

This morning, we enjoy breakfast at the hotel, followed by a visit to the Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe. Upon arrival at the Shrine, we visit the beautiful basilica, have time to kneel in front of the Tilma, where Our Lady’s image was miraculously imprinted, and visit the El Pocito (Chapel of the Little Well) and the site of the original apparition. We celebrate Mass and have time to explore the gardens on our own. In the afternoon, we depart for San Juan Teotihuacan, where we have lunch, followed by a guided tour of the archaeological site of the Pyramid of the Sun and the Moon. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Our day starts with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a visit to the Church of Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family) to see the tomb of Fr. Miguel Agustin Pro, the Jesuit Martyr, where we celebrate Mass. Following lunch, we have an afternoon at leisure to explore the Mexico City center and shop on our own. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight at our hotel in Mexico City.

After an early buffet breakfast, we depart for Puebla – City of the Angels and Churches – the fourth largest city in México and an excellent example of Spanish colonial architecture. The Puebla region is famous for its beautiful churches, cuisine, and hand-painted “Talavera” tiles. We visit the unforgettable Chapel of the Rosary to celebrate Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (TBC). Then, enjoy visits to the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church, the Santa Monica religious museum, and the Church of St. Francis to see the incorrupt body of St. Sebastian. The delicious Mole Poblano and Chiles en Nogada have their origins here in Puebla. Tradition tells us that a nun at the Santa Rosa Convent in Puebla invented the recipe for the mole in the 17th century when she heard of the impending visit of Juan de Palafox, Viceroy of New Spain and Archbishop of Puebla. Today, for lunch, we try a local Poblano dish. Following lunch we have time for shopping in the local market. Return to Mexico City for dinner and overnight

Following breakfast, our first stop is a visit to the Church of San José del Altillo to see the crypt where Blessed Conchita Cabrera is buried and to Celebrate Mass. Blessed Conchita was beatified at the Guadalupe Basilica and is the first Mexican laywoman to receive beatification. We are met by a local priest who gives us a short presentation about Blessed Conchita’s life. Time for prayer will be included. Continue to the Church of Santiago Tlatelolco, where St. Juan Diego was baptized. We visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Mariachi Square nearby to listen to traditional Mexican music. In the afternoon, we have a boat ride through the floating gardens of Xochimilco. Overnight Mexico City.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departure to Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica Shrine, where we celebrate Mass and have time to return to the Tilma and explore the grounds of the Shrine, including the Museum, Tepeyac Hill, Capilla del Cerrito, Tepeyac Garden, and Chapel of the Indians. Return to the hotel for time to relax before our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Mexico City. (B. Special dinner)

Following breakfast, we check out of the hotel, say goodbye to our newfound friends, board the bus, and transfer to the airport for the flight home.