Fr. Melvin Castro
October 8, 2018
USA, Mexico
This Pilgrimage is already completed. Please check our other upcoming Pilgrimages.
The Spanish missions that dot the coast of California are some of the oldest remaining structures in the state. The missions possess historic, cultural and religious significance that has been inspirational in California since the time of its existence. Join us on a 14-day Pilgrimage through California’s Mission Churches plus a visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico with Fr. Melvin Castro leaving on October 8, 2018. Pray before the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. And trace the footprints of the Spanish friars that blazed a trail along the California coast.
Please note that an 8-day Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe and Mexico only is also available. Kindly contact us for more details.
Begin your pilgrimage at the Mission of San Francisco de Asis, situated in the heart of San Francisco, California. Considered as the oldest building in the city, much of the original church interior is still intact. Next stop is the Mission of San Juan Bautista, the 15th of the Spanish missions. Fr. Tapis’ choir of Native American boys used to perform for many visitors, earning the San Juan Bautista Mission the nickname “the Mission of Music.” Head for Monterey to visit San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission, well known to be St. Junipero Serra’s favorite. Proceed to Mission San Antonio de Padua. Founded by St. Junipero Serra, it was here where the first Christian marriage in California took place.
Enjoy a delightful drive to San Luis Obispo to visit Mission San Miguel Archangel. The 16th Mission is famed for the original paintings by the Indians that still adorn the walls and ceilings of the place. Next, is a visit to the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. The mission is the halfway point in the chain and is referred to as the “Prince of Missions.”
Onwards to Solvang to visit the Mission Sta. Ines, known as the “hidden gem of the missions”. Head off to the Santa Barbara Mission, dubbed as the “Queen of the Missions.” En route to Los Angeles, stop in Ventura to visit the San Buenaventura Mission. This was the final mission to be built during the lifetime of St. Junipero Serra. It is the only mission in California that contains wooden bells. Arriving in Los Angeles, visit the Mission San Gabriel Archangel. Founded by St. Junipero Serra, its fortress-like structure distinguishes it from any other mission.
Take a flight from Los Angeles to Mexico City to continue your pilgrimage. Enjoy a leisurely tour of the important sites of Mexico city. Not to be missed is a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary after she appeared to St. Juan Diego in the village of Guadalupe by Tepeyac Hill in Mexico. This encounter brought about the miracle: the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary imprinted on the tilma (cloak) of St. Juan Diego. See the original sacrosanct tilma enshrined at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and offer your prayers before her miraculous image.
Take this 14-day Journey through California’s Mission Churches plus a visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico with Fr. Melvin Castro leaving on October 8, 2018. Discover California’s Spanish roots with a visit to some of the fascinating and beautiful Missions plus a visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world.
with Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB
READ MORE +1) A US$ 500.00 non-refundable deposit is required upon reservation together with a photocopy of a passport (valid for 6 months fromdate of departure) and Pilgrim’s Profile with a passport-size photo plus the visa fee and travel insurance payment.
2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in no case shall it be later than 30 days before departure date.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
> 45 days before departure date – US$ 500.00 (non-refundable deposit)
> 30 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
> 20 days prior to departure date – Full tour cost will be forfeited
TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Visa fees and documentation expenses, insurance, hospitalization and other medical expenses, tours and transportation during free periods, porterage of extra pieces of luggage in excess of maximum allocation (20 kgs.), drinks and beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, and other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary terms and conditions.
EXECUTIVE RESOURCES, INC. has arranged for the various tour services to be performed under the responsibility of various contractors. Executive Resources, Inc., its employees or its sub-agents therefore only act as agents for the contractors providing the various services described in the tour and accept no responsibility or liability in connection with losses or accidental expenses due to delays of schedule, overbooking, defaults or “force majeure”. All tours and arrangements are subject to the general conditions specified by each contractor. Tour itineraries and prices are subject to change without prior notice. When making a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.