Mexico

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On December 20, 2025, I will celebrate my 50th anniversary of ordination. I will also celebrate my 80th birthday in 2025. Yes, 80 years of life and 50 years as a priest. It’s a special time of gratitude and celebration.

I want to mark these two anniversaries with a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. I would love for you to join me on this pilgrimage. Our Lady has been my faithful companion in my life’s journey. As she did for St. Juan Diego, she has led me to encounter my God throughout these years of life and ministry. It is with her accompaniment that I have lived these many years and come to know of God’s merciful love for me. I would like to share this pilgrimage with you. Many of you have been instrumental in my life and ministry. We have shared much together.

Our Church has marked 2025 as a Jubilee year. What a beautiful way to celebrate this year with a visit to one of Our Lady’s most sacred shrines. The place where she told St. Juan Diego, “Am I not here. I who am your mother”. Let us hear those same words addressed to us today through this visit.

The pilgrimage is set for August 17 to 23, 2025. It will include visits to other holy sites around Mexico City and also cultural and historical sites.
I invite you to join me in this pilgrimage of gratitude to Our Lady.

Blessings,
Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes

PILGRIMAGE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Visit Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage city
• Visit Ocotlan known as Mexico’s Lourdes
• Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, New Basilica
• Visit the Tepeyac area, surrounding the Basilica
• Dinner with Mariachi music
• Visit Tomb of Blessed Miguel Pro
• Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
• Attend the Folkloric Ballet at the Palacio de las Bellas Artes
• Visit Tulpetlac, known as Santa Maria Tulpetlac Church
• Visit the world-famous Pyramids of Teotihuacan
• Visit the plaza of the Three Cultures and the Baptismal font of Juan Diego
• With English and Spanish Guides
• And much, much more!