As Easter approaches, many cultures celebrate the holiday in a variety of ways. In the US, parents hide Easter eggs for their young children to find. Stores carry all types of candy eggs, as well as baskets and shredded plastic that looks like grass. Families go to a relative’s house for an Easter dinner, as well as attend church.
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If you live in or travel to central New Mexico, you will notice another tradition. It is the pilgrimage to Chimayo on Good Friday. A longstanding tradition among the Catholics in this region, pilgrims walk the distance from their homes to the holy chapel in Chimayo, even if the trek is almost 90 miles and requires walking on the shoulder of a freeway. Often, people will walk through the night in order to get to the chapel on time. Newscasters remind drivers to be careful of these walkers who dot the sides of freeways as cars speed by at 80mph.
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The destination for these walkers, who are following a route laid by a Spanish conquistador, is El Santuario de Chimayo. A chapel that is over 200 years old, the Santuario is said to have healing powers for the sick. Prayers to the carved, wooden Jesus, as well as a handful of dirt from beneath the building have cured the incurable, according to local lore.
If you are planning a trip to this part of New Mexico, the time before Easter is a good one. Not only will you see these pilgrims, but you will experience perfect weather and you will have the opportunity to learn about the culture that pervades this part of the country.
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| Image Source: abqjournal.com |
Louis Habash is a freelance travel writer, who lives in Los Angeles. Also a lover of photography, hiking, water sports and nature, Louis Habash is able to combine these interests with his travel vocation.
That'd be interesting.
ReplyDeleteBeen there once. It was an amazing experience!
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