Ciudad de México Trip Overview
WATCHMEN Catholic Faith Guided Walking Tours By Certified Local Expert Professional Guides & Excursions to Guadalupe,Teotihuacan,Tulpetlac,San-Miguel-del-Milagro,Puebla,Coyoacan,Xochimilco,Mexico-City. NO Non-Refundable Deposit FREE Travel Medical Insurance.
Shrine & Basilica of Guadalupe, site of Virgin Mary’s appearance to humble Indian. In December 1531, Juan Diego informed skeptical bishop of his encounter with Mary. Two days later, Juan returned to the site of his vision. Once again Our Mother appeared. Juan relayed bishop’s request for proof of Her visitation. The Virgin instructed Juan to gather roses from frozen, rocky terrain & present them to bishop. Remarkably for cool season, he found many roses. Gathering the roses in tilma, he hurriedly took them to bishop. When he opened the cloak to the cleric, it was not only the blooms that amazed bishop. Stamped on the humble cloth was an image of the Virgin! Same miraculous living image for you to see in splendor above main altar..
Additional Info
Duration: 5 days
Starts: Ciudad de México, Mexico
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Ciudad de México Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
WATCHMEN Catholic Faith Guided Walking Tours By Certified Local Expert Professional Guides & Excursions to Guadalupe,Teotihuacan,Tulpetlac,San-Miguel-del-Milagro,Puebla,Coyoacan,Xochimilco,Mexico-City. NO Non-Refundable Deposit FREE Travel Medical Insurance.
Shrine & Basilica of Guadalupe, site of Virgin Mary’s appearance to humble Indian. In December 1531, Juan Diego informed skeptical bishop of his encounter with Mary. Two days later, Juan returned to the site of his vision. Once again Our Mother appeared. Juan relayed bishop’s request for proof of Her visitation. The Virgin instructed Juan to gather roses from frozen, rocky terrain & present them to bishop. Remarkably for cool season, he found many roses. Gathering the roses in tilma, he hurriedly took them to bishop. When he opened the cloak to the cleric, it was not only the blooms that amazed bishop. Stamped on the humble cloth was an image of the Virgin! Same miraculous living image for you to see in splendor above main altar..
Itinerary
Day 1: Day 1 Mexico City
Stop At: Historic Center (Centro Historico), Avenida Juarez 66, Mexico City 06000 Mexico
Tour guide/driver will pick up your group with a sign “Lead traveler’s name” and/or “Faith Travel Network”.
After pickup, your driver/guide will drive you for Mexico City Historic Center for sightseeing on-route to your hotel in Mexico City for check-in.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Quality 2-3 star hotel with breakfast, king/queen bed and free WiFi
Day 2: Day 2 Teotihuacan Pyramids; Santa Maria Tulpetlac; Basilica & Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Stop At: Teotihuacan Pyramids, San Juan Teotihuacan 55800 Mexico
Known as the City of the Gods, Teotihuacán was the metropolis of a mysterious Mesoamerican civilization that reached its zenith around AD 100. Once the largest city in the region but abandoned centuries before the arrival of the Aztecs, Teotihuacán boasts towering pyramids and stone temples with detailed statues and intricate murals. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is commonly visited on day trips from nearby Mexico City. Teotihuacán highlights include the Moon Plaza, the Sun Pyramid, the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent). Teotihuacán is a must-see for history buffs and those interested in indigenous cultures. The steep climb to the top of the Sun Pyramid includes more than 200 steps so requires a reasonable level of fitness. Though the pyramids are not wheelchair accessible, the site itself and the restrooms are. The site is closed on Mondays, and Mexican residents receive free admission on Sundays. On weekends and holidays, a trolley takes visitors from the entry booths to various stops within the site for a small fee.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Santuario de la Quinta Aparición Guadalupana, Juan Diego S/N, Sta Maria Tulpetlac, 55400 Ecatepec de Morelos, Méx., Mexico
Tucked away in the quiet, rustic Mexico City suburb of Santa Maria Tulpetlac, far from the hustle and bustle of the world’s tenth most populous capital city, lies the peaceful sanctuary with its special story.
In the sixteenth century, Juan Diego, the first indigenous Catholic saint from the New World, was blessed with visits from the Virgin Mary. In a series of apparitions in 1531, Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego to instruct him to ask that the bishop build a chapel devoted to her, so that she could tend to those in need. However, Juan Diego came across obstacles in his path to accomplishing his mission, the final being that his uncle and only living family member, was terminally ill. On the fifth apparition, the Virgin Mary performed a miracle and healed his uncle, which allowed him to continue with his mission. A wonderful church now stands on the site of this fifth apparition.
One of Mexico’s most holy locations, Santa Maria Tulpetlac, officially known as Iglesia de la Quinta Aparición (Church of the Fifth Apparition), is an unassuming yet undeniably beautiful building nestled in the heart of a walled-off sanctuary space. While it’s arguable that there are few truly peaceful spots in the vibrant surrounds of Mexico City, La Sancturia de Iglesia de la Quinta Aparición (The Sanctuary of the Church of the Fifth Apparition) offer visitors a tranquil place to sit and think awhile, to pray, and to contemplate God’s love.
The church was built over the remains of Juan Bernardino’s home. Although a very simple building, this is one of the holiest churches in Mexico City. Pope Pius XII had granted a plenary indulgence to those who visit this church, and gave the name Tulpetlac. In 1945 Pope Pius XII proclaimed Our Lady of Guadalupe patroness of the Americas. The Church of the Fifth Apparition had been designated as the World Center of Healing by Pope John Paul II. There is also a healing well located under the altar in the church. You actually get the water from a faucet in front and to the right of the altar.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Fray Juan de Zumárraga No. 2, Villa Gustavo A. Madero, Gustavo A. Madero, 07050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
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. Saint 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 appearance to 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 couple of 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 tilma, 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. 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.
The Blessed Virgin Mary also appeared to his sick uncle Juan Bernardino and cured him. She gave the uncle the task of telling the bishop what her image should to be called. As recorded in the Nican Mohopua, an account written in Aztec*, she told him it was to be known as: “Cenquizla Ichpochtzintli Santa Maria de Guadalupe (The Perfect Virgin, Holy Mary of Guadalupe)”. We see the word Guadalupe written here, but is this what the Blessed Virgin actually said to Juan Bernardino? Our Lady of Guadalupe gave Juan Bernardino, a message of such transcendental importance in his own language, so that he could remember the words and accurately repeat them, instead of a message containing an Arabic word like Guadalupe which could not be spelt or pronounced in Nahautl.” It is safe to say that whatever she said, there was a purpose behind it. It seems likely that Mary said something in Aztec to Juan Bernardino: something familiar to his ear and tongue, and something meaningful to the Indians, but something that was misunderstood by the bishop as meaningful to him and the Spanish. There was a shrine by the name of Guadalupe back in Spain. God may have permitted this to help the Spanish accept the events, and for the sake of peace and unity. Becarra Tanco, who participated in the Apostolic Proceedings of 1666, concluded that Mary used the word “Tequantlaxopeuh” meaning “who saves us from the devourer”. In 1895, Professor D. Mariano Jacabo Rojas, head of the Department of Nahautl in the National Museum of Archaeology, History and Ethnography, did an “intensive scientific study of the word Guadalupe”. He concluded she used the word “Coatlaxopeuh” which means “she who breaks, stamps or crushes the serpent (Coatl means snake in Nahautl),” A priest there pronounced Tequantlaxopeuh as “Tea-quantla-show-pay” and said it meant “la que pisa la serpiente” which in English means, “she who steps on the serpent”.
The miracles of the holy image on the “Tilma” matched description from the Holy Scriptures in Revelation 12:1
Juan Diego and the miraculous painting on his tilma shows a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head as in the Scriptures, Book of Revelation 12:1
From the Scriptures, Mary is Queen of Heaven, Revelation 12:1 – And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Quality 2-3 star hotel with breakfast, king/queen bed and free WiFi
Day 3: Day 3 San Miguel del Milagro; Puebla; Central Mexico and Gulf Coast
Stop At: San Miguel del Milagro, San Miguel del Milagro, Nativitas Municipality, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast
Exactly 100 years after Our Lady’s apparitions to St. Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill (Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1531), we come to the year 1631, with another Mexican apparition, which like the Romans, finds the native people of Nativitas, Tlaxcala, Mexico also ravaged by a merciless plague. The illness, called “cocolixtli” by the locals, was a horrible form of smallpox that was devastating the people with immense sufferings and numerous deaths. As had been done on April 25th, throughout the Catholic world since the time of Pope St. Gregory, the people of Tlaxcala took part in the procession of the Greater Litanies, praying for an end to the plague that was mercilessly afflicting them. It was once again at a time of great suffering that God chose to send Saint Michael to mitigate the plague.
On this occasion, instead of appearing to a saintly Pope, the great Archangel was sent by God to manifest himself to a lowly native Indian named Diego Lázaro de San Francisco (sometimes called Diego de San Lázaro), who was only seventeen years old at the time. Towards the conclusion of the Greater Litanies procession, Diego Lázaro suddenly saw Saint Michael in a vision, and the great Archangel spoke to him in his own native language (Náhuatl) stating:
“You are to know that I am Saint Michael the Archangel, and I have come to tell you that it is the will of God and mine that you tell the inhabitants of this place, and everywhere abroad, that near a valley between two mountain ridges you will find a miraculous spring of water that will cure the people of their ills. You will find it beneath a great boulder. Do not doubt what I have told you and do not neglect what I have sent you to do.”
As soon as St. Michael disappeared, Diego Lázaro was initially filled with holy joy. Astounded by the heavenly vision, he immediately asked others in the procession if they too had seen Saint Michael. The puzzled looks and replies of those around him made it clear he was the only one who had seen the Prince of the heavenly host. Confused, Diego Lázaro thought perhaps he imagined the whole encounter, and he decided not to tell anyone about his experience.
St. Michael Issues a Grave Warning..
After a few days, the great archangel appeared to Diego Lázaro once again, and this time he was very displeased. He thundered:
“Why did you doubt what I have told you? Because you have not done as I requested, you too will be stricken with the plague that is devastating your people.”
Immediately Diego became severely ill with the cocolixtli. He remained in this grave state for about a week, until the Archangel’s next appearance. During this time, thinking that his life was coming to an end, his family called for a priest, and he received the Sacrament of the sick.
Just when those around Diego were convinced that he was passing from this life, St. Michael intervened once again. This time, everyone present saw a dazzling light, which scared them tremendously, causing them all to flee from the hut. Describing afterwards what had happened, Diego states that St. Michael took him by the hand:
“Saint Michael transported me to the place he had told me about before. With Saint Michael going before me through the night, everything was illuminated as the great prince passed, as if it were midday. Rocks and branches split apart as he passed, clearing a path for us. As we reached a certain spot, I saw Saint Michael holding a golden staff topped with a cross.
‘From the place I touch with this staff you will see flowing the miraculous spring I told you about during the procession. Make it clear to everyone that the illness you have suffered is a fruit of your disobedience.’
“Having said this, there was suddenly a great whirlwind of deafening screams, wailing and moaning, as if a great crowd were being driven from the place. I shook with fear. It seemed to me that the entire mountain ridge would tumble down on top of me during the turmoil.
‘Do not fear; these are the sounds made by the demons, thine enemies, because they know the great benefits that through my intercession the faithful will receive in this place from Our Lord. Many, seeing the marvels worked here, will convert and do penance for their sins, and all will give thanks to God for His mercies. Those who approach this spring with lively faith and sorrow for their faults will, with the water from this spring, obtain relief in their sufferings and needs, and those at the point of death will find a comfort in these waters.’
“Having said this, I then saw a brilliant light descend from heaven, piercing the ground at the site of the spring. Saint Michael continued,
‘This light that you have seen descend from heaven is the virtue that God in His Divine Providence gives in this spring for the health and relief of the sick and needy. Make this known at once to everyone. That they may believe your testimony, I promise to work a great prodigy through you.’
With that, Saint Michael disappeared, and I found myself here in this hut once again, completely cured.”
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Puebla, Puebla, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast
Spectacular drive to what is known as Mexico’s most beautify city Puebla. During your journey, you will climb to over 10,000ft above sea level, and view two magnificent peaks; one that is covered with snow and the other that is an active volcano, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes (if weather permits).
You will continue with a visit to the centre of Puebla, where you will have lunch. The restaurant offers a unique blend of authentic local cuisine and international fare, and you will be sure to find something to your liking. Once you finish your lunch you will walk and admire particular highlights of the town such as the cathedral, the Chapel of the Rosary, beautiful streets, buildings of French and colonial styles and the traditional handicrafts of Talavera. Then, your guide takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Puebla, a city where buildings are sculpted out of freestone and covered with gorgeous painted ceramic tiles and Mexican Baroque churches. The charming city boasts 70 churches in its historic district alone. Swing by the 16th-century Church of Santo Domingo, whose plain gray and pink exterior belies the opulence inside. Next, visit the Chapel of the Rosary, part of Puebla’s Cathedral, the Church of Santo Domingo and once considered the eighth wonder of the art world. Admire the gilded stucco inside this example of Mexican Baroque architecture. Gaze at the serene-blue Convent of Santa Monica, now home of the Museum of Religious Art. If we have time, we may visit the Church of St. Francis of Assisi where you will view the incorrupt body of St. Sebastian of Aparicido.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Quality 2-3 star hotel with breakfast, king/queen bed and free WiFi
Day 4: Day 4 Coyoacan, Parque Centenario; Floating Gardens of Xochimilco
Stop At: Coyoacan, Parque Centenario, Mexico City 04000 Mexico
Coyoacan is an old colonial town which is now incorporated into Mexico City, and we will cross also Insurgentes Avenue, the longest in Mexico City, passing by the Insurgentes Theater, popular for its Diego’s mosaic mural, icons of Mexican theater stories.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, Southern neighborhood of Xochimilco, Mexico City 16090 Mexico
Xochimilco is a journey through the ancient canals and artificial islands created by the original peoples over 800 years ago, we sail aboard colorful boats known as “Trajineras”, there is no better way to be surrounded by the folklore of the people of Mexico, in an atmosphere of mariachis, nature, flowers and colors, Xochimilco is a place that has survived over the centuries and has adapted to the city, where nowadays is the favorite place for local and foreign visitors who want a Mexican experience.
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Quality 2-3 star hotel with breakfast, king/queen bed and free WiFi
Day 5: Day 5 Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City
Stop At: Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Fray Juan de Zumárraga No. 2, Villa Gustavo A. Madero, Gustavo A. Madero, 07050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Free time at Sanctuary of Guadalupe for worship, prayer and reflection.
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Quality 2-3 star hotel with breakfast, king/queen bed and free WiFi
