Thursday, April 06, 2006

El Santuario de Chimayo, the Lourdes of America

This chapel is located on the road north of Santa Fe towards Taos. Due to the miraculous appearance of a crucifix found in the dirt on the church's location - and the supposed inability of parishoners to move the crucifix from said dirt without having it end up back there a few days later - the magic dirt in the church is supposed to have supernatural healing powers.
Eh, whatever.
Regardless, the church was another interesting place to visit.

This is the doorway leading to the courtyard of the Chapel.


The altar decor:

Out behind the church, on one side of a moutain stream, is a chain link fence. The fence is covered with handmade crosses, left over from several years of ceremony and prayer held at an outdoor altar.

Inside and underneath the church is the shrine covering a small hole in the ground where the crucifix appeared again and again. The walls are covered in crutches, canes and depictions of Jesus and Mary. The hole itself is in the middle of the floor, about 12 inches across, and outfitted with a red plastic toy scoop. Probably my favorite part of the whole trip was this sign:

6 comments:

jonboy said...

"Holy, Dirt, Batman! It's the Sod Monster!"

Jody Harrington said...

Loved the pictures and the story of the Holy Dirt! Reminds me of my hometown--San Antonio.

grandma1 said...

Did you have lunch or dinner in rancho de Chimyo. Food is great, also they have an old fireplace with the shepards shelf to sleep on. We use to go up at least once a year for lunch. Great weaving in the weaving shops, lovely southwestern, jackets, coats, and etc. One of my favorite places in New Mexico. Did you get to see them weaving?

Anonymous said...

Thanks for coming to my art exhibit : )

annie said...

I'm enjoying your photos...

Pyzahn said...

Hey Rach...thanks for the link. Loved your pics. Loved this place. Waaaa, I wanna go back!