Tepeyac Leadership recently hosted its annual The Hour of the Laity conference at the iconic Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Among the attendees was Andres Martin, a Tepeyac Leader from the Class of 2018, who participated in the pilgrimage for the first time alongside his wife, Kara. Deeply moved by their journey, Andres and Kara felt inspired to put their powerful experience into writing and graciously granted us permission to share their story with our community. We hope you enjoy their inspiring reflections below:
"Amid the hustle and bustle of Mexico City, the 2026 Hour of the Laity Conference and pilgrimage became an extraordinary experience of faith, beauty, and grace. When Cristofer Pereyra, CEO of Tepeyac Leadership Inc., invited me to speak at the conference, I agreed, provided my wife, Kara, could join me. We soon realized that the pilgrimage would coincide with our 15th wedding anniversary.
Although I had previously hesitated to visit Mexico because of safety concerns, I trusted in the Lord and Our Lady. Looking back, I believe God had a special purpose for our journey.
Upon arriving at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I was overwhelmed by emotion as I gazed upon her miraculous image. I knelt before her and prayed for the protection of my wife, our nine children, and for guidance in my life. I felt deeply connected to Our Lady, whom I regard as my spiritual mother.
Throughout the pilgrimage, I was inspired by the faith and generosity of fellow pilgrims, the wisdom of the speakers, and the beauty of the churches we visited. The experience reminded me of the goodness of our Christian community and the importance of sharing our faith with others.
Yet, the most profound moment, after encountering Our Lady, came during the Eucharistic Procession. I was given the honor of carrying part of the baldacchino accompanying the Blessed Sacrament. As we processed through the Basilica grounds, I was moved to tears by the presence of Christ and the reverence of those who stopped to adore Him.
I was particularly struck by the physical effort of Father Rafael Pacaníns as he carried the monstrance. Watching him struggle under its weight reminded me of Christ carrying the burden of humanity's sins during His Passion. It was a powerful reminder of the mystery of the Eucharist, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the sacred vocation of the priesthood.
The pilgrimage brought countless blessings to my faith and marriage. The timing of our anniversary, our ability to travel, and the opportunity to visit the Basilica during a special Jubilee Year all felt like signs of God's providence. As Pope St. John Paul II reminds us, there are no mere coincidences in God's plan.
Even an unexpected adventure at the end of our trip, when my wife and I lost our group while trying to attend Mass, concluded with a memorable surprise: what we thought was a missal turned out to be a wedding program. For us, it was a fitting and joyful ending to a pilgrimage that celebrated our marriage.
I am profoundly grateful to God, Our Lady of Guadalupe, my wife of 15 years, our nine extraordinary children, and everyone who made this pilgrimage possible. I pray that others will also experience the spiritual renewal, grace, and communion that we received through Tepeyac Leadership and the Hour of the Laity Conference.
Thanks be to God!"
Andres Martin
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