Any hints on preparing for private pilgrimage?

[onetruechurch]

My husband and I will soon be flying to Mexico City to make our own private pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Bob & Penny Lord no longer take groups there because they consider the city to be too dangerous. We would have preferred a guided pilgrimage but will have to plan our own. Does anyone know of any special prayers or novenas we could be praying before and during our trip? I don’t want to be “just a tourist” who simply looks at Mary’s image, heads for the cafe and then buys a few gifts. Mary’s image is a miracle and I wish to respect it in a holy manner.
Gracias!

 

[JimR-OCDS]

My husband and I will soon be flying to Mexico City to make our own private pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Bob & Penny Lord no longer take groups there because they consider the city to be too dangerous. We would have preferred a guided pilgrimage but will have to plan our own. Does anyone know of any special prayers or novenas we could be praying before and during our trip? I don’t want to be “just a tourist” who simply looks at Mary’s image, heads for the cafe and then buys a few gifts. Mary’s image is a miracle and I wish to respect it in a holy manner.
Gracias!

I have heard that the trip can be dangerous, so I have to ask, why don’t you look for a tour?

Jim

 

[LilyM]

I have heard that the trip can be dangerous, so I have to ask, why don’t you look for a tour?

Jim

I agree - there would have to be other tours you could go on. I wouldn’t attempt to go alone.

 

[onetruechurch]

Thank you Lily and Jim for your concerns. Can I count on your prayers? I will carry your names in my money belt when I visit the precious image so you will be part of my pilgrimage. I am hoping St Michael will be my body guard. Maybe my novena before I leave should be one to St Michael.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Thank you Lily and Jim for your concerns. Can I count on your prayers? I will carry your names in my money belt when I visit the precious image so you will be part of my pilgrimage. I am hoping St Michael will be my body guard. Maybe my novena before I leave should be one to St Michael.

Sure, I’ll pray for you. When is it you’re leaving?

Jim

 

[LilyM]

Thank you Lily and Jim for your concerns. Can I count on your prayers? I will carry your names in my money belt when I visit the precious image so you will be part of my pilgrimage. I am hoping St Michael will be my body guard. Maybe my novena before I leave should be one to St Michael.

Of course

 

[puzzleannie]

having travelled in Mexico several times, and living on the border, I would never attempt a tour or pilgrimage without a group. Driving in Mexico is extremely dangerous and without being part of a tour group, just navigating in Mexico City will be a nightmare, getting from your hotel to the basilica. I do have a standing invitation to visit some families there who have offered to take me, and that might be a possibility I would consider, but go alone, never.

the other reason for joining an organized pilgrimage (not secular tour) is that it would be a shame to spend all that money getting there and not visiting other sites, Los Lagos, San Luis Potosi etc.

 

[onetruechurch]

Thank you Lily and Jim for your prayers.
Thank you also Puzzleannie for your words of caution. We don’t plan to drive a car. We will be careful at all times. The only jewelry I wear is my crystal rosary bracelet and the clothes we will be wearing will not be flashy. I am determined to visit the miraculous image even if I have to walk on my knees for a mile to the shrine with the devout Mexicans. Mary appeared to Juan Diego at a time when the Mexicans were slaughtering babies in sacrifice to the gods of nature. She appeared as a young woman about to give birth. Now Americans are more interested in bowing down to the nature gods of global warming then they are of saving the babies in the womb. I wish everyone here at CA could join me and walk a mile to the shrine on their knees to show Mary that we care about the slaughtered babies. I am willing to risk my life for that cause.

 

[onetruechurch]

I’m back from my pilgrimage. I visitied Our Lady for the first time during the hour of mercy (3:00) on March 18 and again during the 8-9AM hour on March 23.
On March 18 we first climbed up the many steps of the pyramids where thousands of humans had been sacrificed to the gods every day. Later that day after we attended mass at the Lady of Guadalupe Basillica we climbed the many steps to reach the top of the hill where Juan Diego received the roses. It’s amazing how difficult it was to climb the pyramid steps and how easy it was to climb the stairs to the hill of the miracle!
I wore my blessed Lady of Guadalupe pin every day I was in Mexico and Mary protected me from any harm. We even navagated the city in crowded busses and metros with no problems. We stayed in the Zocolo district right next to a very old and beautiful church that was built over the ruins of the Aztec structures that were built for human sacrifice.
Viva la virgen of Guadalupe!