El Santuario de Chimayo - News And Projects

Archbishop Sheehan Blesses "El Peregrino" Statue

A statue in honor of the many hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who have visited El Santuario over the years was dedicated by Most Reverend Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe, during the Good Friday prayer and blessing at 10:30 A.M. on 2 April at El Santuario.

The statue is designed by Santa Fe resident, Gilbert Martinez, co-owner of Terra Bella Artful Interiors. It was created from Cantera stone, quarried in southern Mexico. The statue depicts a "peregrino" (pilgrim) provisioned both physically and spiritually for the journey on foot to El Santuario. This includes a representation of a Chimayo wool vest in honor of the weavers of Chimayo. Around the pilgrim’s neck is a sea shell. The sea shell, used as a water cup, is a traditional symbol of a pilgrim. It is also the symbol found on depictions of Santo Niño de Atocha, who is normally represented wearing pilgrim’s garb. Many of the pilgrimages made to El Santuario are done in honor of El Santo Niño.

Inscribed in Spanish at the foot of the statue are the words "Peregrinos, el Señor nos invita a su Santuario de Amor". Below that, in English, are the words, "Come pilgrims, from the four corners of the earth...the Lord has invited us to walk to the Shrine of Love in Chimayo. Here we will find the ‘Holy Dirt’ that strengthens us and purifies the faith that takes away our pain."

Photograph courtesy of Richard L. Rieckenberg, The Footloose Photographer