Marian Helper • Fall 2022 • Marian.org 29 Benedictine Abbey; Cristo Rey Church (which houses the reredos of Our Lady of Light); the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi; the San Miguel Mission; Santuario de Nuestro Señora de Guadalupe; Cross of the Martyrs; San Felipe de Neri Church in Albuquerque; El Rancho de las Golondrinas; and the Georgia O’Keefe Museum. One highlight of the pilgrimage was the Loretto Chapel and the “Miraculous Staircase.” As the story goes, when the chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to get to the choir loft, which was 22 feet above. The carpenters said that the only solution was to put in a ladder because a staircase would interfere with the interior space of the already small chapel. To find a solution, the Sisters of Loretto made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of the novena, a man appeared at the chapel with a small donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant spiral staircase was completed, and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. After searching for the man and finding no trace of him, the Sisters concluded that it was St. Joseph himself who had come in answer to their prayers. Today, the “Miraculous Staircase” is a true marvel to see. America’s Lourdes Another highlight was our visit to El Santuario de Chimayo. Legend has it that this holy site produces earth with miraculous healing powers. In 1813, a man named Bernardo Abeyta uncovered a crucifix that was buried on the site and requested permission to build a chapel in honor of the crucifix of “Our Lord of Esquipulas.” The chapel was built around the hole where the crucifix was found. Today, the hole or “El Posito” is in a separate room towards the rear of the chapel. It is the sacred well where pilgrims come to kneel and pray and collect the healing earth. El Santuario de Chimayo is often referred to as the “Lourdes of the Americas,” as thousands of pilgrims journey to Chimayo for healing. My fellow pilgrims and I were blessed to have had such a spiritually enlightening pilgrimage to Santa Fe. It was interesting to learn about the history and growth of the Catholic faith in this area of the country, and how God has and continues to be present to the people of NewMexico. As one of my fellow pilgrims, Deacon Matthew Fung, observed, “People go on a pilgrimage for different reasons, but perhaps all pilgrims undertake their journeys to get closer to God. A major spiritual insight I gained from the pilgrimage is a greater awareness of God’s presence in my life.” Father Angelo Casimiro, MIC, is the house superior and formator at the Marian House of Studies in Steubenville, Ohio. El Santuario de Chimayo, the “Lourdes of the Americas.” La Conquistadora, Our Lady of Peace, in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe. The Cross of the Martyrs, honoring the death of 21 Franciscan friars in 1680.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==