Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Catholic Travel Centre · The bishop ordered a church built at...
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DAY 1: DEPART THE USA / ARRIVE MEXICO CITY: We depart the USA en route to Mexico City. Upon arrival we are met by our Catholic Travel Centre representative who will escort us to our private motor coach for transfer & check-in to our hotel. Dinner is at the hotel. (D) DAY 2: MEXICO CITY: ZOCALO, METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL, NATIONAL PALACE: We begin our visit at the main square of the city, one of the largest city squares in the world. It is called the Zocalo, but its official name is Plaza de la Constitucion. It has been a gathering place for Mexicans since Aztec times, and has been the site of ceremonies, royal proclamations, and the festivals of Holy Week and Corpus Christi. It has received foreign heads of state and is the main venue for both national celebration and national protest. We will celebrate Mass at the stunning Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. Consecrated in 1656, it is the largest cathedral in the Americas and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico. Aſter Mass, we visit the Palacio Nacional (National Palace). is beautiful colonial building is where the palace of Moctezuma once stood. e walls above the main staircase and along the corridor of the second floor are covered with murals by Diego Rivera, who has depicted the history of Mexico from before the arrival of the Spaniards through modern times. is series of murals, titled “Mexico a Traves de los Siglos” (Mexico rough the Centuries) was painted between 1929 and 1951 and highlights the most dramatic moments of the nation’s past. We return to our hotel for the balance of the day at leisure. Dinner tonight is at our hotel. (B, D) DAY 3: MEXICO CITY: PLAZA OF THREE CULTURES, SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE & LEISURE: Aſter breakfast, we visit the Plaza of ree Cultures, a symbol of Mexico’s heritage. e square contains the remains of Aztec temples and is flanked by the Catholic church of Santiago de Tlatelolco (built between 1604 and 1610). Inside we find the baptismal fountain of Juan Diego, the Aztec to whom the Virgen de Guadalupe appeared. Lastly, the third culture of the Plaza is the massive housing complex built in 1964. Next we visit and celebrate Mass at one of the most visited shrines in the world, e Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, an Aztec on Decembere 12, 1531. She told him to build a church at that site. When Juan Diego spoke to the Spanish bishop, the bishop did not believe him, asking for a miraculous sign. Although it was winter, the Virgin told Juan Diego to gather flowers, and Spanish roses bloomed right at his feet. When Juan Diego presented these to the bishop, the roses fell from his apron (the Tilma) and an icon of the Virgin was imprinted miraculously on the native’s tilma, a poor quality cactus-cloth, which should have deteriorated in 20 years but shows no sign of decay 485 years later. A Spiritual & Cultural Journey to Mexico Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 6-Days OUR DAILY ITINERARY Mexico City is located in a valley. During the Aztec period, Mexico City was built over a lake, the Lago de Texcoco. Aztecs built an artificial island by dumping soil into the lagoon. eir civilization, eventually became the largest and most powerful in pre-Columbian America. Later, the Spaniards erected a second Mexico City atop the ruins of Tenochtitlán. In 1520, Cortés and his troops conquered the Teotihuacán. e Spanish then built Mexico City on the city ruins. e Catholic Church had great influence in the city, and religious orders like the Franciscans, Marists and Jesuits established convents and missions throughout Mexico. All together some 12,000 churches were built during the three centuries of Spanish rule over Mexico. Today, in Mexico over 80 million inhabitants identify themselves as Catholics. On our journey, we will enjoy the best of modern Mexican culture, marvel at the beauty of Spanish colonial architecture and gain a new understanding and admiration for our neighbors to the south. INTRODUCTION
Transcript of Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Catholic Travel Centre · The bishop ordered a church built at...
DAY 1: DEPART THE USA / ARRIVE MEXICO CITY: We depart the USA en route to Mexico City. Upon arrival we are met by our Catholic Travel Centre representative who will escort us to our private motor coach for transfer & check-in to our hotel. Dinner is at the hotel. (D)
DAY 2: MEXICO CITY: ZOCALO, METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL, NATIONAL PALACE: We begin our visit at the main square of the city, one of the largest city squares in the world. It is called the Zocalo, but its official name is Plaza de la Constitucion. It has been a gathering place for Mexicans since Aztec times, and has been the site of ceremonies, royal proclamations, and the festivals of Holy Week and Corpus Christi. It has received foreign heads of state and is the main venue for both national celebration and national protest.
We will celebrate Mass at the stunning Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. Consecrated in 1656, it is the largest cathedral in the Americas and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico.
After Mass, we visit the Palacio Nacional (National Palace). This beautiful colonial building is where the palace of Moctezuma once stood. The walls above the main staircase and along the corridor of the second floor are covered with murals by Diego Rivera, who has depicted the history of Mexico from before the arrival of the Spaniards through modern times. This series of murals, titled “Mexico a Traves de los Siglos” (Mexico Through the Centuries) was painted between 1929 and 1951 and highlights the most
dramatic moments of the nation’s past. We return to our hotel for the balance of the day at leisure. Dinner tonight is at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 3: MEXICO CITY: PLAZA OF THREE CULTURES, SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE & LEISURE: After breakfast, we visit the Plaza of Three Cultures, a symbol of Mexico’s heritage. The square contains the remains of Aztec temples and is flanked by the Catholic
church of Santiago de Tlatelolco (built between 1604 and 1610). Inside we find the baptismal fountain of Juan Diego, the Aztec to whom the Virgen de Guadalupe appeared. Lastly, the third culture of the Plaza is the massive
housing complex built in 1964.Next we visit and celebrate Mass at one of the most
visited shrines in the world, The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, an Aztec on Decembere 12, 1531. She told him to build a church at that site. When Juan Diego spoke to the Spanish bishop, the bishop did not believe him, asking for a miraculous sign. Although it was winter, the Virgin told Juan Diego to gather flowers, and Spanish roses bloomed right at his feet.
When Juan Diego presented these to the bishop, the roses fell from his apron (the Tilma) and an icon of the Virgin was imprinted miraculously on the native’s tilma, a poor quality cactus-cloth, which should have deteriorated in 20 years but shows no sign of decay 485 years later.
A Spiritual & Cultural Journey to MexicoShrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
6-Days
Our Daily itinerary
Mexico City is located in a valley. During the Aztec period, Mexico City was built over a lake, the Lago de Texcoco. Aztecs built an artificial island by dumping soil into the lagoon. Their civilization, eventually became the largest and most powerful in pre-Columbian America.
Later, the Spaniards erected a second Mexico City atop the ruins of Tenochtitlán. In 1520, Cortés and his troops conquered the Teotihuacán. The Spanish then built Mexico
City on the city ruins. The Catholic Church had great influence in the city, and religious orders like the Franciscans, Marists and Jesuits established convents and missions throughout Mexico.
All together some 12,000 churches were built during the three centuries of Spanish rule over Mexico. Today, in Mexico over 80 million inhabitants identify themselves as Catholics.
On our journey, we will enjoy the best of modern Mexican culture, marvel at the beauty of Spanish colonial architecture and gain a new understanding and admiration for our neighbors to the south.
intrODuctiOn
The bishop ordered a church built at once, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The present church was constructed in 1974 on the site of an earlier 16th-century church that was finished in 1709. From the 16th century to now, Our Lady of Guadalupe has been honored by 25 Popes.
“Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.” (Words of Our Lady to Juan Diego)
The balance of the day is at leisure for our own private devotions. Dinner this evening is at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 4: MEXICO CITY: EXCURSION TO TULPETLAC & THE PYRAMIDS OF TEOTIHUACAN: We begin today at Tulpetlac where we continue with the history of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This is where Juan Diego’s uncle, Juan Bernardino, was cured. We celebrate Mass at the Church of Santa Maria Tulpetlac, commonly known as the Church of the Fifth Apparition. Although a very simple building, this is one of the holiest churches in Mexico City. The Church was constructed over the ruins of the home of Juan Bernardino.
There is a plaque in the sacristy, which states that Pope Pius XII had granted a plenary indulgence to those who visit this church. The Church of the Fifth Apparition was designated as the World Center of Healing by Pope John Paul II.
From here we proceed to the world-famous Pyramids of Teotihuacan. In the year 600 A.D., Teotihuacan was one of
the largest cities in the world, housing more than 75 temples to the Aztec gods. Teotihuacan translated means: “place where gods were made.” We will have lunch together nearby prior to visiting the Pyramids. After our visit, we return to our hotel for the balance of the day at leisure. Dinner this evening is at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 5: MEXICO CITY: EXCURSION TO XOCHMILCO AND THE HANGING GARDENS WITH AN OPTIONAL VISIT OF THE ANTHROPOLIGICAL MUSEUM: Today, after breakfast we visit one of the most recognizable places of Mexico, the Hanging Gardens of Xochmilco. We board colorful wooden boats decorated with brightly painted flowers on wooden arches, and float down the Xochimilco Canals past waterfalls, purple and pink bougainvillea to the sound of birdsong.
After our relaxing boat ride, and lunch on our own, we have the option of visiting the National Museum of Anthropology. It is the largest and most visited museum in Mexico. The permanent exhibitions on the ground floor cover all pre-Columbian civilizations located on the current territory of Mexico as well as in former Mexican territory in what is today the southwestern United States. Tonight we gather for a special farewell dinner with Mariachi music. (B, D)
DAY 6: RETURN TO THE USA: We transfer to the Mexico City airport for our return flight to the USA. (B)
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