For the second year in a row, the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest has led a pilgrimage--this time to Mexico. Fifteen pilgrims from Arizona, California, Illinois, and Wisconsin accompanied spiritual director, the Reverend Canon Jayr.

Several days were spent in the city of Puebla, east of Mexico City. We had Mass in the magnificent Rosary Chapel of the Santo Domingo Church and toured the beautiful Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary. Pilgrims toured a local ceramics maker.

Other churches visited on this Lenten tour included that of Blessed Sebastian de Aparicio y del Pardo, San Miguel del Milagro, the shrine of our Lady of Ocotlan, the cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Tlaxcala.

After returning to Mexico City, a mass was held on apse altar in the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary. This was arranged by members of Una Voce of Mexico. Many members and supporters of Una Voce, including Father Ocampo, joined us in the celebration of the Mass. We also visited the crypt of the cathedral to pray at the burial site of bishop Zumarraga, the prelate who received the news of Our Lady’s apparition from Juan Diego.

A full day was spent at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We had mass at the Church of the Well. Pilgrims had the opportunity to visit all seven churches on the site. We marveled at the beautiful, miraculous tilma given as a sign by Our Lady to Juan Diego, which was responsible for so many millions of conversion to the faith throughout Mexico and all of the Americas.

Mass was held the Holy Family Church which contains the remains of Mexican martyr, the Blessed Father Miguel Pro. Members of Una Voce again joined us for Mass. Canon Jayr in a reflection, memorably remarked that we should, in this Lenten season, entreat the Blessed Virgin to imprint her image on our souls, as she had on Juan Diego’s tilma.

Canon Jayr related “hidden” history of several of the Martyrs to the religious persecution in 20th century Mexico. We came away with a greater appreciation of how resolute the martyrs and Cristeros were, and how we must be prepared to suffer for our faith.

Other cultural activities included a visit to two ancient pyramids at San Juan Teotihuacan, the scene of human sacrifice in pre-Christian times. There was a canal ride with lunch in a gondola at Xochimilco. We also attended the Ballet Folklorio on our last night in Mexico.

Our final Mass was in the beautiful Santa Prisca Church in Taxco. Taxco is an old center of silver mining in the mountains between Mexico City and Acapulco. Pilgrims returned renewed in their faith and with great thanks to Our Lady of Guadalupe.