Well friends, it’s time. I’m setting off to lead my first Creatio pilgrimage this Saturday; 55 miles to El Santuario de Chimayó in New Mexico.

This will be my first of ten pilgrimages this year, six of which will be to Chimayó.
The shrine is built on the site of a recurring miracle from the 19th century. According to the tradition, a local farmer saw a beam of light appear in one of his fields, prompting him to investigate the site, where he found a crucifix buried in the dirt. He brought it to the local parish and the priest put it on the altar, but the next day it was gone and reappeared in the same field in which it was found. This happened two more times before the farmer and the priest eventually determined Our Lord must want the cross to remain at the site, and began construction of a shrine to house it. Since then, the dirt and sand from the site have been said to heal the ailments and maladies of the faithful, earning Chimayó the nickname “the Lourdes of America.” It’s a relatively unknown pilgrimage, but it’s been walked by locals in the area for almost two centuries and is especially popular during Holy Week. My second trip down will actually end on Palm Sunday, and I’m told it’s quite the day to be there.
Thanks be to God I am not in particular need of any miraculous healing these days, but if you are, or you have any other intentions you’d like me to carry on pilgrimage with me, please let me know. I’ll add you to my list of intentions to bring to Our Lord at the shrine. Graces are abundant on pilgrimage, so if there is anything at all that you’d like me to bring on the way, please submit it via this link:
And please pray for me and our trip participants as well! Our tired feet will need it after all those miles. What a blessing it is to have been called to this mission though. I get to take long walks through so many beautiful places, talk to tons of great people on the way, and bring photos back for all of you, all with a focus and foundation in prayer. It really doesn’t get much better than this, and I wouldn’t be able to do it without your support along the way, so as always, thank you. More stories and photos will be up later. Until then, I’ll be wandering through New Mexico.
in statu viae
Ryan