Catholics undertake annual Easter pilgrimage

Pilgrimage has been a Holy Week tradition for about 200 years

CHIMAYÓ — Thousands of New Mexico Catholics participated in the annual pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayó, an adobe church north of Santa Fe, on Good Friday.

The pilgrimage has been a Holy Week tradition for about 200 years, these days attracting an estimated 30,000 people from Palm Sunday to Easter.

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe says that around 300,000 people journey to the adobe shrine annually. Some park near the shrine and walk a few miles to it. Others walk about 30 miles to reach it from Santa Fe or over longer distances.

Once there, many participants collect a bit

of dirt from a room in the Santuario, which they say has healing powers.

Pilgrims say they make the journey for prayer, reflection and sacrifice.

Jose Munguia has undergone the pilgrimage for seven years. During his first trip, he said his family was going through financial trouble and he hoped God would help him find more work. Munguia said his efforts paid off.

“I feel like you have to sacrifice a little bit in order to receive,” Munguia said. “It’s hard for people who don’t believe in this to understand, but faith can do a lot of things for you. If you have faith, you can achieve everything you want.”

This year, Noah Martinez of Albuquerque said he walked 90 miles for the sake of his religion. He said the journey is a family tradition, but the walk can come with danger.

As he started his walk in 2012, he said, a car hit him after it ran through a patch of ice. The impact caused a ligament in his leg to tear.

But, Martinez said it’s not all bad. Some drivers support him by honking at him. Others insist he accept drinks or snacks from them.

“Compassion knows no prejudices,” Martinez said. “I used to always say no when people stopped, but then I realized it was their way of contributing to the walk, even if they don’t do it or don’t believe in it.”

EDDIE MOORE/JOURNAL Jorge Martinez of Santa Fe carries a cross along N.M. 503, accompanied by Jaime Gonzales, on the annual pilgrimage of Catholics in New Mexico to the Santuario de Chimayó on Good Friday.

Angel Rios of Española holding his son, Abraham, 2, waits in line to enter the Santuario de Chimayó, which is visited by an estimated 30,000 during Holy Week.

EDDIE MOORE/JOURNAL Thousands walk along Juan Medina Road on their way to El Santuario de Chimayó on a warm, sunny Good Friday. The 200-year-old shrine attracts tens of thousands each year during Holy Week.

A statue behind El Santuario de Chimayó, where people often leave rosaries and devotional images.

Simon Garcia of Ponderosa wears a hat and shirt with images of Our Lady of Guadalupe after walking to the Santuario de Chimayó.