What is a pilgrimage?

Most definitions of a pilgrimage will say it is a journey to a sacred place for a religious purpose. For centuries, Catholics have gone to sacred places like the Catacumbs, Holy Land, Rome, Santiago de Compostela, Marian apparition sites, shrines dedicated to saints, etc. to ask for special requests, give thanks, or for veneration due to a special devotion.  We can say it is one of the most ancient traditions in our Catholic Church. There is something special in a pilgrimage, we are "on our way" to a sacred place, and this gives us the opportunity to imagine being "in our way" to Heaven! 

​

Everything in a pilgrimage has a purpose: the walking, the prayers, lighting candles at each church, offering up the heat, the cold, the hunger... all for the love of God. We seek God throught all of this. We want to unite ourselves to Jesus every day, following His example of prayer in the desert. We want to get all the graces He has for us and we want to gain all the indulgences we can for the souls in purgatory or our loved ones. 

​

What to expect in this pilgrimage?

This pilgrimage is an encounter with Jesus through the presence of Our Blessed Mother in her advocation of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She wants you to know she is your Mother! And she is waiting for you "in her sacred little house" that she requested.

To understand and appreciate Our Lady of Guadalupe, you will learn about the Mexicas (or Aztecs) and their worldview, the impact of the Conquest by Hernan Cortes, and the fight for the people between the conquistadors and the religious orders.  The evangelization was not easy because the "conquistadors" (those who came searching power and money) did not believe the Mexican natives had a soul, therefore they did not want the Church to baptize them. At a crucial point, Our Lady comes to rescue a nation, looking like them; she told them: "Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my protection?..." 

You will visit archeological sites in the city that the Crown of the Holy Roman Empire buit as the New Spain, and all the amazing work of the different Religious Orders like the Franciscans, the Dominicans, The Agustinians, the Jesuits... you will be a proud Catholic after seen what the Catholic Church did for Mexico as a response to Our Lady's requests!

​​

Are there any discounts?

There are two available discounts:
- Early Bird Discount: register before May 31st, 2026 and save $120 USD

- Full payment discount, save $50 USD
- “Bring a Soul” Program: earn a $40 USD credit for every new pilgrim you refer (up to 3 referrals)

​

About how much is the total cost with airfare?

- The total cost depends on the cost of the flight and the discounts you might get by booking early or through "bring a soul program".  As a reference:

 

if you depart from Philadelphia, an estimate for the flight with Aeromexico as of this writing (6/6/2026) is:​

​

Cost:  $781 non-stop, round trip

Departure: Mon, Dec 7

Aeromexico - Delta AM 609
9:05 AM Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Travel time: 5 hr 30 min
1:35 PM Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez (MEX)

Return: Sun, Dec 13

Aeromexico - Delta AM 608
1:45 PM Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez (MEX), Travel time: 4 hr 49 min
7:34 PM Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

​

So, with this example, if you add $781 + $1450, the total would be $2,231.

If you pay in full we will subtract $50:  $781 + $1,450 - $50, for a total of $2,181. 

If you bring three pilgrims, we will subtract $40 per person if you bring three pilgrims: $781 + $1,450 - $120, for a total of $2,111. 

​

If you depart from State College, an estimate for the flight with American Airlines as of this writing (6/6/2026) is:

​

Cost $831 round trip

Departure: Mon, Dec 7
6:35 AM State College Regional Airport (SCE), Travel time: 1 hr 42 min
8:17 AM Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
AmericanEconomyEmbraer ERJ-145AA 5850

1 hr 7 min layoverCharlotte (CLT)
9:24 AM Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Travel time: 4 hr 21 min
12:45 PM Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez (MEX)
AmericanEconomyBoeing 737MAX 8 PassengerAA 829

​

Return: Sun, Dec 13
8:00 AM Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez (MEX). Travel time: 4 hr 15 min
1:15 PM Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
AmericanEconomyBoeing 737MAX 8 PassengerAA 2884
1 hr 26 min layoverCharlotte (CLT)
2:41 PM Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Travel time: 1 hr 47 min
4:28 PM State College Regional Airport (SCE)
AmericanEconomyEmbraer ERJ-145AA 5889
Plane and crew by Piedmont Airlines as American Eagle

​​

So, with this second example, if you add $831 + $1450, the total would be $2,281.

If you pay in full we will subtract $50:  $831 + $1,450 - $50, for a total of $2,231. 

If you bring three pilgrims, we will subtract $40 per person if you bring 3 pilgrims: $781 + $1,450 - $120, for a total of $2,161. 

​​​

What is included?

- Six nights at a boutique hostel, (shared room) - a hotel option is also available

- two meals every day in Mexico City (breakfast and lunch)

- daily Mass and Confession by our chaplain

- all local transportation, including pickup and drop off at the MEX International Airport (conditions apply)

- all entrance fees and tour fees

- pilgrims' guide

- two days visiting the Basilica of Our Lady, and

- a farewell Mexican dinner

​

What is not included?

- Airline tickets
- Baggage fees 
- Meals during travel 
- Special drinks during breakfast and lunch (soda, coffee, tea, lemonade, etc.)
- Travel Insurance
- Personal needs (like phone calls, laundry, etc.)
- Tips for service providers

- Souvenirs

- Incidentals at the hotel or hostel (e.g., personal items, etc.)

​

At what time should we arrive in Mexico City?

We meet and drop off pilgrims at the Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) in Mexico City.

Pilgrims with confirmed arrival will be picked up Monday, December 7, between the following local times: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm or 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

​

If your flight has a delay or you are arriving at a different time, let us know to arrange transportation for you. The ride will cost $25 USD (approximately).

​

Note: Traveling to Mexico requires a valid passport during the entirety of the trip, and it must be valid at least six months after your return date. It is the traveler’s sole responsibility to obtain and have available the appropriate valid travel documents during the trip (US persons need only a passport but other nationalities might need visas). 

Mexico has removed its COVID-19 vaccine and/or testing requirements for entering travelers. However, as these may change at any time, please double-check any entry requirements or restrictions prior to your departure.

​

What is the suggested spending money?

- The suggested spending money depends on several factors like tips, church donations, paying for a public restroom, souvenirs, etc. A suggestion for church donation at each Mass could be $5-$10 USD, tips for dinner at a restaurant could be 10-15%, many bathrooms have fees of about $1 USD... so $70-100 might suffice.

​​

Where can we exchange Mexican pesos?

You can do it at the airport in Mexico City or withdraw at an ATM (debit cards are often the least expensive way to get cash).  We can also exchange money for you at no extra cost, but let us know about a month before the trip. We encourage you to check the exchange rates in November so you can make a decision on where to get your Mexican pesos. 

​

What should I pack?

- A suggested packing list here.

​

What are the accomodation options?

Options for accommodations are the following:

1. Hostel (included in the cost) 

   • - Shared rooms with bunk beds are for 4, 6, or 8 pilgrims. Men or women only in each room.

   • - Private rooms for up to 4 people available upon request. Add $200 for the upgrade per room.

2. Hotel options (Not included in the cost)​

   • If you choose the hotel, $100 dollars of the Hostel cost will be subtracted to enable you to book your own room​ at  the hotel.

   • If you would like us to book for you, we incur a $10 booking fee per room.

   • Hotel Catedral is arounf the corner of the hostal, which make it very convenient for pickups. 

   • Hotel Zócalo is a block away.

​

What is the spiritual commitment?

- Mass, Liturgy of the Hours as a group for morning and evening prayers, and Rosary. Optional: Divine Mercy Chaplet and Holy Hour.

- 15-30 minutes daily of personal prayer time.

- Quiet time after night prayer.

- Media fast: phones put away except for designated photographers and emergencies.

- Keep the schedule and communicate personal needs to pilgrimage leaders.​

​

What are some challenges?

- The Way of Saint Juan Diego lasts about four hours walking through Mexico City (a van will be available for pilgrims who need assistance).

- Simple meals for breakfast and lunch, dinner on your own (except our last day).

- Quiet time after ~10:00pm.

- Early rising and honoring the schedule.

- Drinking only bottled water as Mexican water is not potable for individuals who are not used to it.