Fr. Joseph Mary Paek, OSB, was born in Seoul, Korea and came to the States with family when he was 15 years old. After High School, he served in the US Marine Corps. After he got out, he went to the University of Cincinnati. During that time he was asked to manage one of the Korean Martial Art TaeKwonDo schools of his master instructor. Later it became his own school, where he taught over 13 years. While he was in this business, he had a conversion experience and became a Catholic from a Protestant tradition, Church of Christ on Christmas Eve in 1986.

Within 6 months after joining the Catholic Church, God called him to the priesthood. He discerned with a
spiritual director and pursued the religious priesthood. He joined St Leo Abbey on September 8th, 1994 to honor our Blessed Mother. After a 4 and half year monastic formation, he took final Solemn vows on March 19th, 1999. He was sent to a Benedictine seminary, St John school of Theology and seminary in Collegeville, Minnesota. He earned a Master of Divinity and was ordained on May 17th, 2003. He will celebrate 23 years as a priest this upcoming May.

He taught at Saint Leo University briefly, 400 level of religion and Theology. He did parish ministry at St
Cecelia parish in Clearwater, FL. He also did a summer parish ministry at Resurrection parish in Lakeland,
FL., as well as served for 5 years at St Ignatius of Antioch in Tarpon Springs, FL. He has given many retreats, conferences, and parish missions.

Join Father Joseph Paek and St. Leo Abbey for an unforgettable pilgrimage to the heart of Mexico, where faith, history, and devotion to Our Lady come beautifully to life.

Follow in the footsteps of St. Juan Diego as you visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, walk the sacred grounds of Tepeyac Hill, and pray at places forever touched by Our Lady's presence. Journey to the miraculous Shrine of Our Lady of Ocotlán, visit Tulpetlac and its healing spring, and celebrate Mass in treasured holy places, including St. James Church and the Shrine of San Miguel del Milagro.

Along the way, experience the beauty and spirit of Mexico through magnificent churches, sacred relics, vibrant traditions, and centuries of Catholic faith. From Mexico City and Puebla to Ocotlán, Tlatelolco, and Teotihuacan, each day offers a new opportunity for prayer, fellowship, discovery, and a deeper encounter with Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Come experience the places, stories, and enduring faith of a people forever changed by Mary’s tender love—and return home with memories and graces that will stay with you long after the journey ends.

Let us guide you on an unforgettable pilgrimage to Mexico City, where spiritual blessings await your arrival.

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