Nearly 10 years ago, when I came to El Santuario Chimayo on pilgrimage, it was undergoing major restoration, inside and out. When I returned this past spring, I was impressed with sweet smelling, flowering trees lining spacious courtyards. Restored signage clearly indicates Mass times and Historic information.
Original window gratings and adobe bricks are left exposed in
areas, to show the original building style.
A walk through the visitor’s center tells the story of how the Santuario de Nuestro Senor de Esquipulas came to be, the story of the penitente brotherhood and the early
church in New Mexico Southern Colorado .
Today we are just in time for Mass.
Outside, cattle graze in the valley below. Their gentle lowing
makes me homesick for my little ranch. But I have given up my livestock for
this life on the road. I smile at sweet memories and new adventures. From the
upper courtyard, I can see the amphitheater below, in front of the shrine to
Our Lady. The Stations of the Cross still meander along the river bank.
Today we are more inclined to check out the
surrounding area. Tamales and hot drinks are sounding good, but alas, Leona’s
concession stand is closed today. We continue up the road to see if we can
patronize some of the local businesses that thrive during the tourist season. Maybe
we’ll get some chile powder made from the famous New Mexico chiles, or blue
atole – blue cornmeal which is cooked
into a delicious cereal or drink.
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