Pilgrimages ● Serving the Lord with Joy!
Walk with Our Lady. Meet the Children of World Villages.
Join the Sisters of Mary World Villages for Children on a life-changing pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Villa de las Niñas in Chalco, Mexico. A journey of faith, encounter, and transformation.
-
Encounter
Our Lady of Guadalupe -
Visit the
Sisters of Mary -
Meet
the children -
Experience
the mission
A Journey of Faith and Hope
More Than a Pilgrimage
Stand before the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, discover its powerful message, and see how it continues to inspire the mission of the Sisters of Mary.
Then journey to Villa de las Niñas in Chalco, where you'll meet the children, the Sisters, and experience firsthand the joy, hope and transformation made possible through your prayers and support.
You're Invited!
Jesus says to His disciples, “Come and see” (John 1:39), and we extend the same invitation to you.
His Eminence Cardinal Raymond Burke shares his reflections after visiting the Sisters of Mary at Villa de las Niñas in Chalco, Mexico.
Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier of the Diocese of Saint Augustine shares his experience visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Girlstown in Chalco, Mexico.
From the tilma of Guadalupe to the joy of Girlstown. Itinerary
Arrive in Mexico
- Arrive at Mexico City International Airport, where World Villages staff greet and escort you to a top-rated hotel.
- An opening Mass at 6:00 PM, followed by a welcome dinner and orientation.
- Overnight in Mexico City.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Travel by motorcoach to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe - the most visited Marian shrine in the world.
- See the miraculous tilma of St. Juan Diego; a guided tour of the New and Old Basilicas and Tepeyac Hill.
- Holy Mass at the Basilica, with time to pray, shop, and explore the grounds.
- Dinner and Presentation.
Girlstown - An Encounter with Joy
- Attend Holy Mass with more than 3,000 students at the Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Chalco.
- An unforgettable musical performance by the girls, and a lunch buffet with the Sisters.
- Tour Girlstown and pray in the chapel of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz, the founder.
- Time simply to be with the students - then a farewell dinner with your fellow pilgrims.
Return Home
- A 7:00 AM closing Mass and breakfast at the hotel.
- Depart for the airport and return home, hearts full.
The joy of Christ, fully alive
The Sisters of Mary rescue the poorest children from the most desperate circumstances and raise them in a loving family - with education, faith, and hope. At Girlstown in Chalco, more than 3,000 girls will welcome you with sunflowers and song.
- 170,000+
- children rescued and transformed
- 3,000+
- girls welcome you at Chalco
- 6
- countries served by the Sisters
- 1964
- founded by Ven. Aloysius Schwartz
Shepherds for the journey.
You won't go alone. You'll walk with a bishop, a Dominican friar, a Jesuit, and the couple who made this possible.
Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano
Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The fifth Bishop of Bridgeport, a Brooklyn native known for diocesan renewal, evangelization, and a heart for the young. He holds a doctorate from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress, O.P.
Promoter of the Rosary · Co-host of Godsplaining
A Dominican friar of the Province of St. Joseph and former chaplain at the University of Virginia, Fr. Kress now serves as Promoter of the Rosary and co-hosts the Godsplaining podcast.
Chris & Molly McMahon
Founders of Catholics at the Shore
Chris is the author of Faithful Finances and serves on the board of Sisters of Mary World Villages for Children. With Molly and their five children, they live a life of faith-filled philanthropy.
Fr. Phil Hurley, S.J.
National Director · Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network
A Jesuit priest who leads the U.S. office of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, promoting the daily offering and the Holy Father's monthly prayer intentions. He has served as chaplain at Loyola University Maryland and as a parish pastor in North Carolina, and ministers in both English and Spanish.
Why this pilgrimage is worth taking.
It changes you at your core.
“It changes you at your core. You learn how blessed we are to be born when and where we are born, minor irritations don’t matter, you know all is a gift. You want to never complain again, truly live gratitude and be Jesus to others. The bar is high but with God all is possible.”
A special experience and a gift of grace.
“Spending time with the girls at Villa de las Ninas was truly a special experience. Praying with them, playing with them and helping them in their everyday responsibilities was truly a gift of grace! The Sisters of Mary are truly molding hearts and minds for Christ.”
My visit to Chalco has forever changed me.
“Our Lord and our Blessed Mother touched my heart in a profound way through the Sisters of Mary and the beautiful children. My visit to Chalco has forever changed me. I joyfully look forward to my MULTIPLE visits in the future.”
The graces and blessings are still flowing.
“The graces and blessings that I received from being on retreat are still flowing. It’s hard to articulate all that I encountered. The peace and safety that I felt while being in Chalco was comforting. The interaction with the girls, and the healing service profoundly affected my heart. Everyone that I met was hospitable, cordial, and willing to meet any need…The most impactful moments for me came in the Hacienda Chapel. Listening to Father Al’s talks.”
Questions, answered.
Is airfare included?
No - the pilgrimage is priced land-only, so you book the flights that work best for you. Our team is glad to help you coordinate.
How physically demanding is it?
Gently paced. There is some walking at the Shrine and Girlstown, but the days are designed to be restful and prayerful, with a luxury motorcoach for all travel.
Will there be daily Mass?
Yes. Mass is celebrated each day - at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with the Sisters of Mary and the girls, and alongside Bishop Caggiano and Fr. Kress.
How do I reserve my place?
Register online with World Villages for Children, or call the office Mon–Fri, 8AM–4PM EDT. Space is limited.
More questions? Call 1 (800) 662-6316 (Mon–Fri, 8AM–4PM EDT), or email pilgrimages@worldvillages.org.
Limited space available
Join Us
Four days with Our Lady, the Sisters, and the girls of Girlstown - October 9–12, 2026. Reserve your place before it fills.
single supplement +$300
Sisters of Mary · World Villages for Children · register at worldvillages.org · Mon–Fri, 8AM–4PM EDT
“Try to live a life of simplicity, a life of poverty as Jesus lived it, but the object of course is love. The object is to serve.”