Restoring Men's Hearts to Joyful Resilience
Our world needs men who can pray, men who can work, men who can serve; Catholic men, whose hearts are strong to give selflessly in humility and charity. On this twelve day mission trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, college-aged men (18-25) will draw from the deep well of God’s love and meet real needs of those around them. Rooted in daily Mass (TLM), prayer, meditation, and spiritual formation from FSSP clergy, these men will be challenged to live out their identity as a beloved son of God. On the mission, they will pray and work, serve and grow. Join us on an adventure of charity to serve the poor, a mission of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Ready to Set out on a Mission?
Mexico Mission Trip: January 2 - 13, 2026
Located at Guadalajara, Mexico
Cost: $1500.00
Application Deadline: December 1st
Freely Receive. Freely Give.
Pray. Work. Build.
Bosco Ministries is here to form men. Join us in Guadalajara to experience the fire of God’s love and then to share that love with others. Join 20 college-age men on a mission to build homes for others and to build the spiritual lives of men. Guided by a priest and a seminarian of the FSSP, each day will include Mass, silent prayer, spiritual direction alongside manual labor building homes for the poor and apostolic labors of mercy. Beginning with a two day retreat in the beautiful Tapalpa Mountains this mission trip is about setting the hearts of men on fire with the Love of Jesus Christ and living that love out towards those around us. Come to work and build for others, come to be formed in the joyful resilience of authentic virtue.
On this Mission men will
- Meet Needs
- by building two houses for families living in poverty.
- Fortify
- their faith with the daily Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form), discussions, talks, and testimonies.
- Engage
- in the beauty of creation while hiking through the majestic Talpapa Mountains.
- Share
- Christ’s message of joyful resilience with others.
Why Participate in a Bosco Ministries Mission?
Part mission, part retreat, Bosco Ministries Mission Trips are about forming men that are rooted and grounded in love (Eph. 3:17).
Our Mission
Bosco Ministries is dedicated to forming boys and men through joyful interactions with the clergy in service to God and neighbor. We believe that to be Catholic is to be truly joyful.
As beloved sons of God, we become empowered to share Christ’s love with others. Our mission trips are led by Clergy selected for their experience in spiritual formation, pastoral care, and leadership. As a man on a mission, you’ll work hard with your hands, building homes side by side with FSSP priests and seminarians. During your mission trip you will learn how to experience and live out the love of Christ in joyful service.
- Spiritual Foundation
Traditional Latin Mass
Start each day by connecting with God through the Traditional Latin Mass, grounding your service in faith.
Spiritual Discussions and Guidance
Engage in talks and formation sessions led by our chaplains that deepen your understanding of Catholic teachings.
- Service and Community
Building and Outreach
Work alongside fellow missionaries and charitable organizations to build homes, work with local farmers, and visit the sick and homebound. These activities are opportunities to live out the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Form Friendships
Build friendships and make an impact while you play, pray, and work hard together.
- Growth and Reflection
Prayer and Retreat
Spend time in personal prayer and reflection, with days of silent retreat and prayer to enter the joy God has in store for you.
Community Activities
Enjoy fellowship through soccer games and shared meals with the local parish, strengthening your bonds with peers and the community.
What to Expect
- Day 1:
- Arrive in Guadalajara by 1:00pm, have lunch together at a local restaurant and go to our lodgings where we have an orientation talk.
- Days 2-4:
- Retreat days where we begin with Mass and time for prayer, explore the beauty of the mountains and have guided discussion on Scripture as well as small group discussion and prayer.
- Days 4-9:
- Build houses with a local foundation for families with inadequate shelter. On the work days, the missionaries wake up early and travel to the work site where we will have Mass followed by breakfast. The men will then work on the houses until 2:30. After lunch we will return to work, or to other ministries assisting the local community. After the day's work the missionaries will come together for prayer before returning to our lodging. There will be some free time to clean up and rest, then the missionaries will have dinner followed by a chance to debrief and discuss the day's works and spiritual fruits. The evenings will close with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and opportunities for spiritual direction, prayer, and recreation.
- Days 10-12
- These final days will include a chance to visit the Cathedral of Guadalajara and attend Mass at the FSSP Parish, Nuestra Señora del Pilar, as well as a pilgrimage to the martyrdom site of St. Toribio Romo.
Part Mission Trip. Part Retreat.
Faith
Our hearts must first be formed by Christ’s love and joy in order to share that love with others. This trip combines the best of both worlds — receiving Christ’s transformative love and bringing that joy into works of service that meet community needs.
Works
Experience the joy of making a real impact. You’ll meet physical needs by building shelters, working with local farmers, and providing aid to those in need. You’ll meet spiritual needs through visiting the sick and homebound, accompanying the Chaplain to distribute Communion, and showing Christ’s love.
Formation
This is a trip for young men. Each applicant is responsible for his own application as well as all communications with the Bosco Ministries team. Not his dad. Not his mom. The young man himself. The entirety of this experience, from first to last, is designed to help young men take ownership of the fact that Jesus Christ has called him to take up his own cross and follow. As a member of this team, you’ll have opportunities to take full responsibility for your participation in this mission trip as well as face the obstacles in your own heart that obstruct your own physical, human, and spiritual maturity. In so doing you will grow in camaraderie with other young catholic men seeking the same integral life of faith that you are. You will grow in leadership, humility, charity and joy while enjoying the rich culture of Mexico.
What our Missionaries Think
“It is amazing what happens when you pay attention to someone.”
“Christ gives security in our insecurity; This trip to Guadalajara proved to be far more spiritually fruitful than I could have ever imagined. At first I was skeptical, believing that selfish desires and weak convictions would muddy the work we were to do - a skepticism perhaps fueled by my own insecurity. But very soon my concerns were dissipated - the young men on this trip were so willing to give, and in the giving of their time, money, and effort, received a hundredfold. The highlights for me were spending time with the young men - sharing stories, singing songs, and praying together - as well as stumble my way through conversations with many children in my very limited Spanish. I thank God and Our Lady for the beautiful opportunity to work, but most importantly to receive their unending Love in all things”
“I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to go on this mission trip. It was very beautiful to work alongside the people of the community in building the house, and even in other things like eating meals and praying together. It was very moving to see the joy and gratitude of the family, despite their unfortunate circumstances. I am also grateful for the many opportunities for spiritual growth on this trip, through daily Mass and spiritual direction. This trip definitely helped me to better understand (although certainly still far from perfectly) God's love for me, and I think it is safe to say that it was a life-changing experience.”
“I realized in a powerful way the necessity to receive before giving. It made me realize that everyone's fundamental disposition before God is that we are in total need of Him. We are not called to give something that comes from us alone. We give what we have received from the Lord and therein lies our richness. We are all poor beggars before the Lord and this emphasis during the trip enabled me to receive so that I could give!”
Registration Process
Give feet to your faith and make a real difference to people in need. Here’s how to get started:
- Step 1: Complete the Application
Begin the journey by filling out our online application form. This gives us information about you and starts the process. Remember that the application is to be submitted by the missionary himself with his own contact information. Please ensure to use reliable contact information and to check it regularly.
Space is limited to 20 missionaries. Apply today!
*All applications must be received by December 1st.- Step 2: Submit the Registration Fee
Once we have reviewed your application, if you are accepted you will receive an email with a link for an initial deposit.
Secure your spot on the team with a 20% deposit. The deposit must be received within 72 hours of acceptance to secure your place on the team. The deposit can be refunded if the entire amount is raised, but not if the missionary decides not to go.
Missionaries can self-pay the remainder of the cost or fundraise through our online fundraising tool that will be provided to all accepted applicants. Many of our missionaries are able to fundraise the entire cost of their trip. In the event that a participant isn't able to raise the full amount, the balance must be paid at least 14 days before the start of the trip. If the balance isn't paid, the participant will be removed from the roster and the funds he has raised will be retained by Bosco Ministries.
- Step 3: Confirmation and Preparation
Once we receive your application and deposit, you’ll get a confirmation email detailing what to pack, arrival and departure times, and other important details to prepare for the trip.
*All missionaries must bring a watch.
