9t Pilgrimage through Mexico, 2025

Itinerario

NOVEMBER 3, 2025: GUADALAJARA
Departure from San José, CA airport. We will take our flight to Guadalajara, known as "La Perla Tapatía." Upon arrival, our guide will be waiting to take us to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

NOVEMBER 4, 2025: GUADALAJARA
Breakfast. In Guadalajara, we will visit the Cathedral and its ossuary, a glass case displaying the bones of 23 sainted martyrs from the Cristero War. We’ll then explore the city center with its historic buildings and government palaces, as well as the elegant Degollado Theater. Dinner and overnight stay in Guadalajara.

NOVEMBER 5, 2025: GUADALAJARA – MORELIA
After breakfast, we’ll head to the city of Morelia, capital of the state of Michoacán, in central Mexico. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the colonial center with its narrow streets lined with well-preserved 17th- and 18th-century buildings made of the region's characteristic pink stone. Among them is the magnificent baroque Morelia Cathedral with its twin towers rising over the Plaza de Armas. Due to its rich baroque heritage, Morelia has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll visit the city center, the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, the candy market, and the Church of Guadalupe. Dinner and overnight stay in Morelia.

NOVEMBER 6, 2025: MORELIA – SAHUAYO
After breakfast, we’ll travel to Sahuayo. This morning will be dedicated to prayer in honor of St. José Sánchez del Río, the youngest of the Cristero martyrs, canonized on October 14, 2016. We’ll have time to pray before his relics and visit the cemetery where he bravely declared his loyalty to Christ while being tortured, shouting “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” After our visit, we’ll continue to the city of Sahuayo. Dinner and overnight stay.

NOVEMBER 7, 2025: SAHUAYO – SANTA ANA DE GUADALUPE – SAN JUAN DE LOS LAGOS – GUANAJUATO
After breakfast, we’ll head to San Juan de los Lagos. We’ll begin with a visit to the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos, the second-most visited Catholic site in Mexico (after the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe). We’ll then visit Santa Ana de Guadalupe and the home and shrine of Saint Toribio Romo, a martyr known as the patron saint of migrants. We’ll have time to pray before his relics. We’ll continue to the city of Guanajuato for dinner and overnight stay.

NOVEMBER 8, 2025: GUANAJUATO – CERRO DEL CUBILETE – GUANAJUATO
After breakfast, we’ll depart early for Cerro del Cubilete, a symbolic Cristero site. It was bombed by the Mexican government in 1928 during the Cristero War and later rebuilt in 1944, completed in 1950. At the base lies the Shrine of Santa María de los Mártires, where we’ll see relics of three Cristero martyrs. Then we’ll explore Guanajuato’s unique atmosphere, stroll through its colorful alleys, admire the architecture of the Juárez Theater, Baratillo Plaza, the University of Guanajuato, and the Church of the Society of Jesus—one of the largest Jesuit constructions in Mexico. After a delightful day, we’ll return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

NOVEMBER 9, 2025: GUANAJUATO – TEOTIHUACAN – MEXICO CITY
After breakfast, we’ll depart early to explore the ancient city of Teotihuacan, the "City of the Gods." This archaeological marvel is home to the impressive Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon—names given by the Aztecs who visited long after the city was abandoned. After the visit, we’ll continue to Mexico City. Dinner and overnight stay.

NOVEMBER 10, 2025: MEXICO CITY
Breakfast. Today we’ll visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The shrine was built at the request of the Virgin Mary to the visionary St. Juan Diego. As a sign to the bishop, Our Lady gave Juan Diego miraculous flowers that bloomed on the hill of Tepeyac in winter. When Juan Diego opened his tilma before the bishop, the flowers fell, revealing an image of the Virgin imprinted on the cloth—believed by many to be of divine origin. Upon arrival at the shrine, we will celebrate Mass. Afterward, return to the hotel. Free afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay.

NOVEMBER 11, 2025: MEXICO CITY – PUEBLA – MEXICO CITY
Excursion to Puebla. After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive over 10,000 feet above sea level, with views of an active volcano and a snow-capped mountain. We’ll visit the Cathedral dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and the Church of Santo Domingo to admire the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, a stunning example of Mexican baroque built in 1690 with lavish gold stucco and onyx. Then we’ll visit the Church of San Francisco of Assisi to venerate the incorrupt body of Blessed Sebastián de Aparicio, patron of travelers. A former farmer who gave away his wealth and became a Franciscan at age 72, he became known as the “Angel of Mexico.” We’ll have time to shop at El Parián, Puebla’s largest artisan market, known for its vibrant pottery. Return to Mexico City for dinner and overnight stay.

NOVEMBER 12, 2025: MEXICO CITY
Breakfast. Mexico City – Blessed Miguel Pro – Church of Santo Domingo – Blessed Conchita Cabrera. We’ll visit the Church of the Holy Family to see the tomb of Jesuit martyr Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, who returned to Mexico during the Revolution to minister in secret. Arrested and executed, he is now venerated here. We’ll celebrate Mass and visit the small museum dedicated to his life and sacrifice. We’ll then visit the Church of Santo Domingo, built on the site of the first Dominican church after the conquest and final resting place of notable figures like Francisco Vázquez de Coronado. After lunch near the historic center, we’ll visit the Church of San José del Altillo to pray at the crypt of Blessed Conchita Cabrera, a mystic, wife, mother, and founder, beatified in 2019. Time for prayer and reflection. The day will end with a delicious dinner and overnight stay.
Note: Each pilgrim will receive a third-class relic. OPTIONAL FOR THIS DAY (not included in price): Ballet Folklórico de Amalia Hernández – A breathtaking 2-hour performance beginning at 8:30 PM, showcasing traditional dances from various Mexican regions. Held in a theater with a Tiffany glass curtain depicting the Valley of Mexico at sunrise with its volcanoes, this is a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience. Highly recommended!

NOVEMBER 13, 2025: MEXICO CITY
Breakfast. At the designated time, we will transfer to the airport for our return flight home.

DEPARTURE FROM MEXICO CITY WITH VOLARIS AT 4:50 PM – ARRIVAL IN OAKLAND AT 7:43 PM

(DIRECT FLIGHT)