October 2 - 8, 2024

Embark on a week-long transformative pilgrimage retreat to El Paso, Texas, and Juárez, Mexico, where you'll immerse yourself in the pressing realities at the US/Mexican border. Engage firsthand with immigrants seeking refuge in the US, sharing meals and listening to their stories, while gaining insights from Church workers, Border Patrol, and others. Guided by principles of social justice and spirituality, this unique trip encourages participants to reflect on their beliefs through prayer and the Gospel. We will stay at a retreat center with daily opportunities for prayer, liturgy and faith sharing. Explore the intricacies of migration, better understand the impact of U.S. immigration policies, and discern meaningful responses to these urgent issues. Join us on this meaningful journey of learning, compassion, and advocacy at the border.

Trip Includes:

• Onsite visits to various programs 
• Encounter and relationship-building with individuals, families, and communities in Ciudad Juarez, MX.
• Orientation to the social, political, and economic realities of the border through visits with those who are working there.
• Opportunities for daily prayer, reflection, and faith sharing.
• Ongoing  missionary discipleship support and formation before, during, and after the trip
• Learn what others said about this trip: “I discovered all sorts of beautiful human beings and I found Jesus shining through their eyes. Everyone in our group was open and willing to be touched by this experience, but most importantly, I feel like many of us became activated. I trust that whatever we can do, even if it seems negligible, we will do it. It was transformative to see people care, think, get angry at injustice, express their feelings in different ways and dream of solutions. We need dreamers like that in our world.” 2023 Border trip participant

• Acceptance at Maryknoll’s discretion
• Participants must arrange and pay for their own air travel to the international airport in El Paso, TX , and back during the designated time frame. In-country transportation will be provided during the trip.
  
• Accommodations and meals are provided
• Current passport with an expiration date exceeding at least 6 months from trip date and Visas as required. Check U.S. State website for more information.
• Suggested donation of $1,075 to cover trip costs (subject to change)
• Participants must sign a Travel Risk Agreement
• Non-refundable deposit of $100 due upon acceptance
• If you are not able to make the full donation, please contact us to discuss whether we can help you make other arrangements, including assisting you with fundraising.
  
• Trips require a minimum number of participants to proceed
  
  Visit https://www.maryknoll.us/mission-trips for more information or contact Zahira Sandoval at zsandoval@maryknoll.org or (773) 493-3367 ext.263