Sunday, April 19, 2009

This morning we were up a little earlier so we could make our lunch and get on the bus to Mexico City to see the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the tilma of Juan Diego. First we squeezed in for mass (literally). The church was backed. At the end of mass we went to an area below and behind the altar. There were moving sidewalks that you could stand on and view the tilma above you. It is made of cactus cloth which typically disintegrates within 50 years. It was amazing at how bright, colorful and well preserved the tilma was after 500 years.






After mass we climbed up the stairs and got to see a number of churches and chapels. The area was absolutely beautiful with flowers, water fountains and statues.











When we were done touring the Basilica and area, we got on the bus and had our lunch while we traveled to the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral in Mexico City. At the palace we had to go through security. We went in and got to see the famous painting of Diego Rivera







When we got back to the CCIDD Centre we had supper. We had a free evening so we divided into groups and went shopping. Some people went to the people's market and some went to the artisan's market to pick up a few more souvenirs. We ended or evening as we end all evenings, with a short liturgy.

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