Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Mexico City, Mexico

(CNS photos)

Destination: We usually think of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December near her feast day. But any time is a good time to make a pilgrimage to the basilica dedicated to her in Mexico City.
Masses in the new Basilica are offered at the main altar every hour on the hour, 6 a.m.-8 p.m., every day of the year. There are also eight Masses in the San Jose Chapel on weekdays (five on Saturdays and Sundays) and in the crypt.
Why to go: The circular basilica houses the original image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. It was bult on the site of a 16th-century church that was finished in 1709.
Built between 1974 and 1976, the new basilica’s circular floorplan makes it possible for the image of the Virgin to be seen from anywhere within the building. It can accomodate up to 50,000 people.
There are nine chapels on the upper floor and crypts, with 15,000 niches and 10 chapels on the lower level.
On the grounds where the new Basilica is located there are also many other buildings, including the original chapel on the exact site of the apparitions to St. Juan Diego, the Church on the Hill (Capilla del Cerrito), and the Old Basilica consecrated in 1709, as well as other chapels.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course.

Photos: Top -- Travelers approach the modern Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe  on a pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12, 2017, in Mexico City. (CNS/Carlos Jasso, Reuters) 
Middle left -- The Church of Christ the King (Templo Expiatorio de Cristo Rey), also called the Old Basilica  of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Antigua Basílica de Guadalupe) is lit for evening prayer. it stands near the modern basilica on Marian Square in Mexico City. (CNS photo/David Maung)
Middle right -- The original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is housed in the modern basilica. (CNS photo/David Maung)

Info: Address — Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Plaza de las Américas 1, Villa de Guadalupe, Villa Gustavo A. Madero, 07050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Phone —  01(55)5118-0500.
Website, English (unofficial, but helpful) — http://www.sancta.org/basilica.html
Website, Spanish (official) — http://basilica.mxv.mx/web1/-home/index.html

— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story.
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