Pilgrimage to Mexico City

A Journey to Our Lady of Guadalupe With Lay Mission-Helpers

April 29 - May 5, 2025
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About

Join the Lay Mission-Helpers community and Verso Ministries on pilgrimage to Puebla and Mexico City and immerse yourself in the story Our Lady of Gualdalupe and the rich spiritual heritage of Mexico. Around every corner, discover a beautiful tapestry of history, culture, and spirituality. Explore the Zócalo, encounter the lives of saints and martyrs, float through the gardens of Xochilmoco, climb the pyramids of Teotihuacán, and spend time in prayer and reflection at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. From the ruins of the Aztecs to the taquerias of today, this journey of faith and culture will inspire you to embrace Our Lady’s invitation to relationship with Christ and community with those around us.

Trip Details

Group Type

Open to All, Hosted by Lay Mission-Helpers

Activity Level

Moderate

Length

7 days, 6 nights

Accommodations

Standard

Cost

As low as

$2,385

Deposit:

$500

What's Included

Verso pilgrimage director (groups of 30+ pilgrims get dedicated director)
Local, licensed tour guides
Verso pilgrimage booklets & pilgrim kits
Catholic Chaplain
Daily Mass
Private transportation on motor coach
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Standard accommodations in double-occupancy rooms
Meals as indicated on itinerary
Preparation & follow-up materials
Audio headsets (if 20 pilgrims or more)

Itinerary

April 29
Arrival - Puebla (D)
  • Arrive Mexico City International airport
  • Meet and greet by our English-speaking staff and transfer to Puebla City
  • Welcome Mass at a local church
  • Welcome briefing and dinner at the hotel
  • Overnight in Puebla
  • Accommodations: NH Pueblo Centro Historico or similar
  • Meals included: Dinner
April 30
Puebla - Cholula (B, L)
  • City tour around Puebla, the “City of the Angels,” to see the beautifully ornate Chapel of the Rosary in the Church of Santo Domingo, as well as the cathedral and the historic center
  • Mass in the Chapel of the Rosary
  • Following lunch included at a local restaurant, continue to pray at the Church of Santa Maria Tonantzintla, famous for its indigenous Baroque style
  • Complete the day with a visit to Our Lady of Remedies Church, a Cholula church built atop the Tlachihualtepetl pyramid
  • Free time in the evening to explore the city and enjoy dinner
  • Overnight in Puebla
  • Accommodations: NH Puebla Centro Historico or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
May 1
Puebla - Tlaxcala - Mexico City (B, L)
  • Celebrate Mass at the Shrine of San Miguel del Milagro, the site where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 1631 to Diego Lazaro
  • Continue to Tlaxcala, exploring the historical downtown with colonial architecture
  • Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Ocotlan, an apparition site of the Virgin Mary, and venerate the image of Our Lady of Ocotlan which is found within a wooden statue preserved in the church
  • Lunch included at a local restaurant, then transfer to Mexico City
  • Overnight in Mexico City
  • Accommodations: Sheraton Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
May 2
Mexico City (B, L)
  • Depart to the Plaza of the 3 Cultures – Tlatelolco – to see the Church of St. James where St. Juan Diego presented the “tilma” of Our Lady to the Bishop as proof of her apparitions
  • Continue to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where you will celebrate Mass, have a tour of the grounds, and venerate the tilma
  • After lunch, a walking tour of the “Zocalo,” with visits to the Metropolitan Cathedral, ruins of Templo Mayor, and the National Palace with its murals of Diego Rivera depicting the history of Mexico (exterior views only)
  • Overnight in Mexico City
  • Accommodations: Sheraton Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
May 3
Mexico City - Xochimilco - Coyoacán (B, L)
  • Morning Mass at the Church of the Holy Family, where the remains of the martyred Miguel Pro are found
  • Visit to the Floating Gardens of Mexico, Xochimilco, where you will climb aboard a decorated gondola and float through the flower-laden canals while enjoying lunch
  • Continue to the Coyoacán neighborhood for a tour around the quaint streets of this captivating neighborhood, including a visit to the world-renowned Frido Kahlo Museum
  • Overnight in Mexico City
  • Accommodations: Sheraton Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
May 4
Santa Maria Tulpetlac - Teotihuacan (B, L, D)
  • Morning Mass at the Church of the 5th Apparition, Santa Maria Tulpetlac
  • Then, continue to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the pyramids and discover more about the native history and culture of Mexico
  • Lunch in a local restaurant
  • Return to Mexico City for a Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Mexico City
  • Accommodations: Sheraton Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 5
Depart (B)
  • Transfer to the airport and depart Mexico City
  • Meals included: Breakfast
Register

Led by

Group LeaderChaplain
Damian Kabot
Los Angeles, CA

Damian Kabot looks forward to leading the Lay Mission-Helpers Association (LMH) and its supporters on a spiritual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe as part of the LMH’s 70th anniversary celebration. As a child he used to go on annual pilgrimages to Marian shrines in his native Poland (on foot) and in his adult life has visited many spiritually significant Catholic sites around the world. A graduate of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, he is a proud Catholic who deeply appreciates the richness and depth of the Church traditions. While studying Spanish in Mexico, he learned the Spanish language and took courses in pre-Columbian history, customs and traditions of the country. He prays that the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe will bear spiritual fruit in new lay missionary vocations and increased support for the service of lay Catholics who share their gifts and witness their faith in mission as Lay Mission-Helpers.

Fr. Paul Redmond Chaplain Mexico City Pilgrimage Lay Mission Helpers April May 2025
Fr. Paul Redmond
Kalamazoo, MI

Fr. Paul Redmond is a priest in the diocese of Kalamazoo, MI. He was ordained in May of 2016. Prior to his ordination, Paul worked as a licensed physical therapist in his home of Kalamazoo, MI. He served as a lay volunteer for the Lay Mission Helpers Association as a volunteer physical therapist. He served in the diocese of Udon Thani, Thailand (1996-1998). He assisted the Daughters of Charity in their Community based rehabilitation programs. These programs were located in various areas of Northeast Thailand and in Southern Thailand.

Currently, Fr. Paul is assigned to St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish in Kalamazoo, MI. This church serves the students of Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo-College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and Western Michigan University Medical School as well as the community at large.

Pricing

As low as

$2,385

Package Cost

$2,385

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$492/person
Prepaid gratuities for guides, drivers, meals, & hotels
$103/person
Group Flight from LAX
$636/person
Flights from other cities
Quoted upon request
Travel protection
*Quote provided following registration

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

Want to be matched with a roommate? After registering as a single, you will be able to indicate on your Pilgrim Portal that you wish to be matched. Our Pilgrim Support team will facilitate that process, and as soon as we are able to match you, we will switch you to the double occupancy package. The deposit is the same either way!

*Travel protection price is calculated based on a variety of factors and optional plans are provided by Travel Insured International.

Rates assume a minimum of 15 full-paying pilgrims.

 

  • Roundtrip airfare (optional add-on)
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals (optional add-on)
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

There is an optional group flight (information below) from Los Angeles (LAX) to Mexico City (MEX) that pilgrims can opt to add on. If pilgrims would not like to travel on the group flight, Verso Ministries is happy to assist pilgrims in arranging separate airfare. Pilgrims are also welcome to arrange their own airfare based on the dates and times provided here.

Group Flight Information

Cost: $636 / person

Arrival Flight Information

  • American Airlines Flight #AA2546
    • Departs Los Angeles (LAX) at 8:10 a.m.
    • Arrives Mexico City (MEX) at 1:00 p.m.

Departure Flight Information

  • American Airlines Flight #AA2547
    • Departs Mexico City (MEX) at 3:20 p.m.
    • Arrives Los Angels (LAX) at 6:25 p.m.

For Pilgrims Arranging Their Own Airfare

Arrival Information

  • Arrive by: April 29, 2025
  • Arrival time: By 1:00 PM
  • Arrival airport: Benito Juarez Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
  • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred to Puebla in one group.

Departure Information

  • Depart on: May 5, 2025
  • Departure time: Depart at or after 8:00 a.m.
  • Departure airport: Benito Juarez Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
  • Departure transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred to the airport based on flight departure times.

Important Note: In order to be eligible for pilgrimage registration, you must be at least 13 years old. Any minors who register for the pilgrimage must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Standard Accommodations

California Seller of Travel Information

Verso Ministries is a registered California Seller of Travel (“CST”). Our CST account number is 2152878-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. California law requires certain sellers of travel to have a trust or bond account. This business has a trust account for all California deposits.

Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
Next payment due August 1, 2024 – $500/person
Final balance due 120 days prior to departure – Final balance

Please note: Payment plans can be arranged if needed. Please contact us if you would like to pay in several installments.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims and fees will be charged per person per booking.

Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free Cancellation*
  • 91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained ($500)
  • 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of total trip cost is non-refundable
  • 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of total trip cost is non-refundable
  • 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of total trip cost is non-refundable

*Free cancellation (if deposit is made more than 180 days prior to departure)

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted.

Register

FAQ

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! There is no risk for 14-days after you register should you then have to cancel (must register 180 days or more prior to departure). So let’s say you register for a pilgrimage, but then realize you can no longer attend, as long as you cancel your pilgrimage within 14-days of registering and registered more than 180s days prior to the departure, then we will fully refund your deposit no questions asked. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest. Plus, the sooner you register the sooner your journey begins. Register today!

There is no risk! Your deposit will be fully refunded as long as you cancel within 14-days of registering and you have registered more than 180 days or more prior to departure. With no risk, why wait? Get registered today!

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance, register now and begin your journey.

We recommend that all pilgrims consider purchasing travel protection. We partner with Travel Insured International (TII) to offer travel protection.

According to TII, travel protection helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel protection can help.

Upon registration you will receive a travel protection quotation from TII. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call TII. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396. We are happy to help!

Including optional add-ons with your pilgrimage can really add to your experience. If you would to add on any optional arrangements, as listed above, please email us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.

A pilgrimage, at its simplest, is a trip of faith. Which means a pilgrimage can be anything from a walk around your city to an encounter of Jesus in the Holy Land. For Catholics, it’s a trip of faith that people have been taking for hundreds or even thousands of years, many times in the same exact places you can visit today. It’s an opportunity to experience the spots God has made his presence known most in time and space, whether that’s where Jesus walked, where Mary appeared, or where the saints have lived and worked.

At Verso, we believe in crafting pilgrimages that offer you a view of God’s world and his work in it that you can’t get anywhere else. We believe everything from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims are ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all. We also believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, it’s how you prepare from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. Which means it’s our intention to shepherd you through the entire process — before, during, and after — so you can have the best, most transformative experience possible. We’re not just travel experts, we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. Our goal is to make sure you’re physically, logistically, and spiritually ready for your pilgrimage. You’ll receive essential emails that will walk you through the process and give you ways to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. A pre-trip webinar will make sure you are in touch with the Verso leader of the trip, can get trip-specific info, and can ask questions. We’ll send you a pilgrim kit that contains a comprehensive booklet for your trip along with some Verso swag (such as a bag, pen, and sticker) that you can bring along with you on your pilgrimage. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email if you have any questions or special needs.

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Activity Level

Easy
This trip’s activity level is easy. It’s recommended that travelers be in good health to enjoy this itinerary and be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include half or full-day itineraries with 1-3 hours of leisurely walking per day on smooth or slightly inclined terrain. The pace is more relaxed, with opportunities to rest throughout the day.

Moderate
This trip’s activity level is moderate. Travelers must be in good health and be in good physical condition to enjoy this itinerary. Travelers must be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries of 3-5 hours of walking at a normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and hills. The pace is faster and more demanding, with some breaks throughout the day.

Difficult
This trip’s activity level is difficult. Travelers must be in good health and physically fit to enjoy this itinerary. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries with up to 5-7 hours of walking at normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and steep hills. The pace is vigorous and demanding, with little down time each day.

Accommodation Level

Simple
For the duration of your trip, enjoy a range of lodging accommodations — from quaint guesthouses to simple-styled hotels. Discover a newfound appreciation for each of these locations which often have a unique character of their own. With your private bathroom and sleeping quarters, these locations will provide you with a clean, comfortable, and cozy place to settle into during your journey.

Standard
Venues at this level will provide you with the best accommodations at a reasonable cost. Not only will you have access to modern amenities and services, but special care is taken to ensure hotels are located in close proximity to the area’s local attractions. Expect your stay at this level to provide you with an added feeling of comfortability and convenience as you experience your pilgrimage.

Premium
Your stay at the premium level will ensure that your travel involves the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and luxurious stays that a destination has to offer. You’ll find that traveling at this level will afford you the opportunity to optimize your experience at each spot. From fine dining to scenic views, anticipate that your pilgrimage will provide you with breathtaking experiences no other location could provide.

How will I know what my stay will be like?
Each of our pilgrimage locations come with their own unique accommodations. From simple to luxurious, you can know that the care and satisfaction of each pilgrim is our greatest priority. While specific amenities will vary, we are sure that each of these handpicked locations will leave you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for each day.

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