When in Santa Fe on needs to visit this very sacred and holy place. When you first walk in you see all the crutches, canes, walkers hanging on the walls. There is holy sand there that never seems to deplete itself. It is very moving to see all the assistive devices that people no longer need.
I think the feeling of hope abounds here. Can't help but looking at the crutches, crosses, memorials and thinking of the intensity of the feelings there. The church is beautiful - and I loved our time there. The gift shops are much larger than they were last time I was there. But it was nice to pick up a few wooden churches to keep the blessed dirt in. Also loved the wall with all the service men and women. Lots of prayers surround them. It's definitely worth the side trip when you are in Santa Fe to come up to the Sanctuario de Chimayo. Just make sure you stop for the blessed dirt when you are in the church. If one doesn't know it is in the side room, they could easily miss it.
A wonderful place to visit and reflect... read the stories of the people that have made the pilgrimage... and being there almost make you feel like you are part of the family... make you you look for the "dirt" :)
Hurry and get there before more development takes place... in the past 5 years... more and more shops have opened... it was at one time a very uncomplicated and sacred space... enterprise is moving in. Once you are inside the Chapel... you can feel - sense the presence of the Divine. Many healings have taken place here... and many pilgrims have left behing mementos... crutches, canes and photos. It is a very effective and respectful intergration of Native American Spirituality and Christianity... Bring a container to collect some of the blessed holy dirt from the room just off of the Sanctuary... wheather on not you are a believer ... it is a great way to keep the memory of this place in your heart.
El Santuario de Chimayo, the church, is off the beaten path and worth a visit. The building and court yard are lovely, and the inside authentic with its wooden retablos. The area dedicated to those who request divine intervention is moving; so many pictures of our soldiers who fight for freedom and independence of our country. The little alcove with whole of the holy sand is sparse. When observing a woman digging up several cups of sand, it almost appeared that the whole filled itself or at least that there was no reduction in the level of sand.It is worth to make your pilgrimage and find yourself as part of a larger community.
The numbers of faithful that flock here each year is astounding. The grounds are well kept. They are friendly and open to visitors from anywhere.
This little church built back in 1810 (I think) is so quaint and charming. It is a healing church. There is a room that you can get blessed healing dirt and take with you. The room off of that room is filled with crutches, canes, braces of every type, wheel chairs, eye glasses,all the things that was left behind by the people who was healed. Either physical or spiritual healing is sought, this place makes you feel the presents of God. The grounds are beautiful. A site to see no matter what religion you are.
Like the new additions which don't detract from the original historic church but provide additional information, areas for prayer and contemplation, and in view of the beautiful natural surroundings.
While we have visited here in the past....it has become a tourist trap...with everything for sale at just about every house and home...u go from one place with things for sale to the next....not worth the trip.
Such a special place! You can sense God is at work at the Sanctuario. Simply a peaceful, prayerful place!