Fr. Dennis Paez, SBD.
October 10, 2025
Mexico
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 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 Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and offer your prayers before her miraculous image. Join an 11-day Pilgrimage to Mexico with the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Fr. Dennis Paez, SDB, on October 10-21, 2025.
Begin your pilgrimage with a Mass at the Holy Family Church in Mexico City. After Mass, view the urn of the Jesuit martyr, Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro. Venerate this saint’s relics and pray for his intercession.
After a restful night, make your way to Tlaltelolco and pay a visit to the Plaza of the Three Cultures, the site of St. Juan Diego’s baptism at the Temple of St. James the Apostle. Spend the day with Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Celebrate mass and see the famous miraculous tilma of St. Juan Diego featured above the main altar. Our expert guide will recount how Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego, and you will have the opportunity to view the image up close on a moving walkway.
On your route to Octolan, the location of the Blessed Mother’s 1541 apparition, enjoy the refreshing mountain air of the Mexican highlands as you cross Mount Extlaxehaud Volcano. Celebrate mass at the Basilica of the Virgin of Ocotlan, where the miraculous image of Our Lady of Ocotlan is kept. Continue your pilgrimage with a visit to Puebla. See the Basilica-Cathedral of Puebla, a magnificent 16th century basilica renowned for its extraordinary interior with baroque chapels embellished with religious and cultural treasures. The Rosary Chapel, a breathtaking find, is located inside the serene-looking Church of Santo Domingo. The Rosary Chapel, dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” is adorned with sculptures, paintings, and, most importantly, gold! Gold leaf covers a lot of surfaces. Next, pay a visit to the Convent of Sta. Monica, which has 39 rooms brimming with artwork and relics.
Next, visit San Juan Teotihuacan to see the Pyramids of Teotihuacan, often known as “the place of gods,” which are located at the site of one of Mexico’s ancient civilizations. See the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, and other historic sites. Return to Mexico City to celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and have some free time at the shrine.
Travel from Mexico City to San Juan del Rio to see the stunning Church of Santo Domingo in colonial style and the 18th-century Parish Church constructed from pink quarry stone. Continue to Queretaro City to celebrate mass at the Church of the Cross, a historic Mexican convent that is home to a tree that grows crucifix-like thorns. Make a short visit to the Franciscan Monastery, where Fr. Junipero Serra started his evangelization. Make your way to San Miguel del Allende, a charming colonial town with cobblestone streets and churches. See the Parish of San Miguel Archangel, a Gothic Temple that is exclusive to Mexico, as well as the Sanctuary of Jesus Nazareno de Atotonilco.
After spending a relaxing night in San Miguel del Allende, enjoy a daylong journey to the quaint city of Guanajuato, where you will celebrate mass at the Cerro del Cubilete. The orange-yellow Basilica of Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato, which houses an image of the Virgin, the city’s patroness, is another gem of Guanajuato. Return to San Miguel del Allendo. Pay a brief visit to the Iglesia de San Francisco and the Fabrica La Aurora before retiring for the evening.
Leave San Miguel de Allende for your three-night stay in Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city. En route to Guadalajara, stop at San Juan de los Lagos to celebrate Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Nuestra Senora de San Juan de los Lagos, which enshrines a miraculous image of Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos. In Guadalajara, have a chance to visit the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Zapopan, which houses the miraculous image of Our Lady of Zapopan.
While gazing upon Our Lady of Guadalupe’s miraculous image in Juan Diego’s tilma, reflect on her consoling words. Join an 11-day Pilgrimage to Mexico with the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Fr. Dennis Paez, SDB, on October 10-21, 2025.
Am I not here? I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Let nothing else worry you or disturb you. ~ Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego
Ride the “walkalator” underneath the altar of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe to get a closer look at the tilma bearing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Stunning views from the mountain top of Cerro del Cubilete, which enshrines a huge statue of Cristo Rey (Christ the King).
Venerate the remains of St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, a martyr who bravely declared his loyalty to Christ, at the Church of St. James in Sahuayo.
At the Church of the Cross in Queretaro, one can find a strange tree with thorns in the shape of the cross, emulating the nails of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Mexicans, in general, value pleasantries. Before any transaction, even just entering a shop or restaurant, say “buenos dias” (good morning), “buenas tardes” (good afternoon), or “buenas noches” (good evening). When you leave, “adios” (goodbye), “gracias” (thank you), or “con permiso” (excuse me) are customary. Even if that’s all you say in Spanish, it’ll be deeply appreciated.
Spiritually-focused journeys
Insightful pilgrimage chaplains
Quality accommodations
Expertly-crafted itineraries
Friendly and bonded groups
Senior citizen friendly
The whole pilgrimage is a new and fulfilling moment in my life. It’s a nice feeling being with the Lord in His important day. And also, gaining new friends and becoming my new extended family is something I will treasure. I hope that this is just the beginning and we’ll continue to get in touch with one another despite the distance.
Brenda
Hello Co-Pilgrims,
It was indeed a wonderful Pilgrimage: very rich in history, a thanksgiving of blessings, a spiritual renewal and nourishment, and finally ending in a test of Faith.
Thank you so much Pilgrim Leader, Ging Igual, for standing beside us up to the last stretch of our 13-day journey - more particularly in the handling of an unexpected situation (cancelled flight in Mexico and re-direction of flights to make sure the 38 Pilgrims reach LA for their respective flight bookings). Ging, you were an angel to us so blessed with energy, passion, love and Milagrosa. We really felt the presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe fielding angels every step of the way.
The Pilgrimage to California Mission Churches and Our Lady of Guadalupe gives me personal inspiration for the work and activities of the next chapter of my lifetime: farming with promotion of agriculture for millennials (inspired by the scenic view of farms in California), tourism (which is a major industry in all places we visited), and support for a favourite major seminary in Tagaytay and a scholarship fund for deserving individuals (thru a non stock non profit institution).
Thank you to my Co-Pilgrims and prayer partners for the prayer support, sharing of life experiences and friendships; Fr. Tony, thank you for your spiritual reflections and service; Fr. Jerry Orbos for an overflowing spiritual reflections and enabling us to have the needed personal encounter with Jesus and Mama Mary (it was like a 12-day Holy Retreat); and the Executive Resources for making a very nice pilgrimage package a part of our lifetime.
Ms. Emma
Lord, we cannot find words enough to say how grateful we are to You. Our pilgrimage made us realize that Your love for us is more than what we deserve.
To all our co-pilgrims, thank you for making us feel we belong to this new family. To Fr. Dante, thanks for your prayers and pieces of advice for our spiritual nourishment. To Sis Lea, for taking care of each one of us. To Sis Joy, thanks for the contagious joys and laughters.
To our prayer partners, Sis Maribel, Melvy and Didick and Bro Mon and Sis Jot, thank you for your prayers. We will pray for you, too!
To The Pilgrim’s Center - Executive Resources, thank you for accommodating us in this Eastern Europe Pilgrimage.
God bless us all always!
Albert and Adee
Dear Pilgrims' Center:
My husband Aldo & I would like to praise & commend our Pilgrim Chaplain Fr. Dante Venus & our Tour Leader Bro. Monty for the very successful & memorable pilgrimage to Italy & the Holy Land we were very fortunate to join on March 26-April 8, 2018.
It was very hectic to be sure, but still they managed our time very well that we were able to visit more places than was promised in the itinerary, and we are very appreciative of that. Likewise, the solemnity of the whole pilgrimage experience was still observed despite many of us in the group, myself included, often forgetting that we were pilgrims & not tourists 😉😉, taking photos, selfies, etc. instead of, or before focusing on what the local guide was explaining or on the scripture readings. I cannot fault us pilgrims on this because for many of us seniors, and I speak for my husband & I, that trip might be our first & last time to visit those places, so we made sure they were properly documented. Nonetheless, it was a truly spiritually uplifting & life-changing experience for us. We continue to thank our Lord for making that experience of a lifetime possible. Indeed, nothing is impossible for God! Thank you very much to Fr. Dante, Bro. Monty & to each of us pilgrims in the group for the prayers, love, care & concern shown to each other. Let us continue to pray for and with each other. It is my hope that we meet each other again soon, to strengthen our bonds of friendships.
Most sincerely, Leclec Cabusora
Leclec Cabusora
My husband and I just came back from a wonderful trip to Israel - with Franciscan Fr Reu Galoy. Thank you Pilgrim Center for the arrangements. We are so happy and satisfied with all that you have done for us. Kudos to Yanyan and Monty from Pilgrim Center, and Fr Reu and Ronin for your caring services. It was a spiritual journey and we felt the abiding presence of the Lord all throughout.
Ann Arguelles Cortes
Our pilgrimage was worth all the hardships (I was having leg pains). We had an excellent leader in the person of Adrian, two priests Fathers Val and Ron, who gave us very nice pieces of advice and homilies, and of course the members of the group who were all very nice. Looking forward to join another pilgrimage.
Emily Bautista
It was the most profound experience I had in my whole life....Walking with the Footsteps where Jesus walked made my life more grateful and humble....My faith become stronger as I express it...A growing faith is a sharing faith....TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! SHALOM!
Carmen Nierra
Vir & I would like to express our gratitude for a wonderful pilgrimage we had from Sept 5-18. From checking-in last Sept 5 & all during the tour, we felt the care from a family. No words can ever describe how thankful we are.
I almost cried last Sept 8, (my birthday) when we (2 of us have the same birthday) were given a surprise mini celebration when after our dinner, we were given a cake. I really felt the love of a family then.
All these things made possible because of your capable coordinator Ms. Ging Igual. She's such a wonderful leader. Kudos to her.
Rest assured that i will refer your company to all my friends who are planning to go on pilgrimage .
Good day & may God always guide & protect all of you in the Pilgrims' Center/ Executive Resources, Inc.
Cora and Vir Franca
I am honored to be included in this pilgrimage. The Pilgrims' Center has very good itineraries worth remembering. No hours wasted. They took very good care of us in spite of our big number of 47 people. The daily mass and homilies of Fr. Manny Cruz held in different shrines and churches were very inspirational and transforming. Accommodations were nice most especially the one on top of the Mountain with an awesome view built in 1909. It's like travelling back in time. I definitely would want to do it again with Pilgrim Center.
Peter Joseph Mapua
The Pilgrims' Center always gives you the best. They let you feel like an Executive in terms of personal service & attention especially during pilgrimage. Their choices of pilgrimages and pilgrim chaplains are outstanding. You go back home very fulfilled and immersed...
Marlene Silvestre
General Requirements:
Note:
• Personal appearance at the embassy- by appointment
• Please present original documents upon interview
Note:
• Personal appearance at the embassy- by appointment
• Please present original documents upon interview
Visa and service fee: Php19,000/per person (subject to change)
NOTE: OTHER DOCUMENTS NOT INDICATED MAY BE REQUIRED UPON INTERVIEW
1) US$ 1,000.00 deposit is required upon reservations together with a recent passport-size photo, a signed photocopy of passport (valid for 6 months from date of departure and arrival in Manila), and Pilgrim’s Profile.
2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in no case shall it be later than 90 days before departure date.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
> 90 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
> 60 days before departure date – Full tour cost will be forfeited.
> In case of visa denial, the deposit of US$500.00 will be forfeited.
BASIC 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, drinks and beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, tips for drivers, guides, tour escorts, 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 subagents 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, thepassenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.
*** SCHEDULE AND RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE! ***
