A Marian pilgrimage is different from an ordinary vacation. It is a journey of the heart, where we walk with Our Blessed Mother and allow her to lead us closer to her Son. With hearts turned to her, you are invited to join a 19-day Pilgrimage – Encountering Mary in the Americas – to Mexico and Brazil, with a 7-day extension to Peru, accompanied by a Pilgrimage Chaplain on October 5-23, 2026
At the heart of this pilgrimage are two of the most beloved Marian shrines in the world. In Mexico City, we encounter Our Lady of Guadalupe, where the Virgin Mary appeared to the humble peasant Juan Diego in 1531, leaving her miraculous image upon his tilma — an image that has remained vibrant for nearly five centuries. In Brazil, we kneel before Our Lady of Aparecida, whose small clay statue was drawn from the waters of the Paraíba River by fishermen in 1717, bringing an end to their empty nets and ushering in an abundance of grace to all who sought her. Both shrines reflect the same tender truth: a Mother who reaches out to the lowly and reminds us that we are never alone.
Your pilgrimage begins in Cuautitlán, the birthplace of St. Juan Diego, and continues to Tlatelolco to visit the Plaza of the Three Cultures. Here, we see the Church of Santiago de Tlatelolco, home to the baptismal font where St. Juan Diego was baptized.
Spend a grace-filled day at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, including the celebration of Holy Mass. The Basilica houses the original tilma bearing her miraculous image. Continue to Ocotlán to visit the Church of Our Lady of the Nativity and the breathtaking Basilica of Our Lady of Ocotlán, a site associated with an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then proceed to Puebla to visit Santo Domingo Church, home to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, known for its richly gilded interior.
Depart Mexico and arrive in São Paulo, Brazil, for a three-night stay. Explore the city’s highlights, including Holy Mass at the Sé Cathedral, one of the largest Neo-Gothic cathedrals in the world, and visits to the Church of Our Lady Achiropita and the Basilica of Our Lady of Penha.
Continue your pilgrimage to Aparecida, a place of deep Marian devotion and home to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, dedicated to Brazil’s patroness. Your journey concludes with a four-night stay in Rio de Janeiro, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its natural beauty and vibrant culture. Celebrate Holy Mass at Nossa Senhora de Copacabana Church and visit major landmarks, including Christ the Redeemer, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. A powerful symbol of Christianity, this iconic statue watches over Rio and stands as an enduring emblem of faith and hope for the world.
PERU EXTENSION — 7 DAYS OF WONDER
For pilgrims choosing the optional 7-day Peru extension, an extraordinary journey through the heart of the ancient Inca world awaits.
Your adventure begins with two nights in Lima, where a guided city tour and a visit to the world-renowned Larco Museum offer a taste of Peru’s rich pre-Columbian heritage. You’ll then ascend into the Andes to Cusco — the ancient navel of the Inca Empire — before spending a night nestled in the breathtaking Sacred Valley.
Then it’s on to Machu Picchu, the highlight of your visit to Peru.
Perched 2,430 meters (7,970 ft) above sea level on a misty mountain ridge in southern Peru, this 15th-century Incan citadel is nothing short of a miracle of human achievement. Its masterful dry-stone architecture — built without mortar, yet standing for over 500 years — has earned it a place among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Put your hand in Mary’s and allow her to gently lead you to Jesus. Join this 19-day Marian pilgrimage, Encountering Mary in the Americas, as you journey through Mexico and Brazil, with a 7-day extension to Peru, accompanied by a Pilgrimage Chaplain on October 5-23, 2026. May this sacred journey deepen your faith and draw you closer to Christ through the loving guidance of Our Blessed Mother.
