Santuario de Chimayo

This is a place that needs to experienced as words are inadequate to describe the overall vibe! Beautiful & serene, I felt a magical healing in my whole body as I sat in church pews & meditated. The Holy dirt is transformative. This has been on my MUST SEE LIST for years, so I glad I was able to squeeze it in during a conference in Santa Fe. Rented a car at the airport , 30 or so miles North. Hit a fantastic restaurant nearby & a relaxing drive up & back. Amazing!!!!

This is a functional church and chapel imbued with incredible history and lore. The woodwork and art will make you feel like you’re in the middle of 16th or 17th century. The grounds are also beautiful, and the site is shouldered by several shops and coffee houses, where you can get a cup of piñon coffee and a fresh bag of chili. Really worth a visit!

I have never been to a place similar to this Holy Place of Pilgrimage. Many come here for miracle. A lot of healing happening in this place. I find this place so unique. It is believed that a type of soil gives physical healing. Unfortunately, pictures are not allowed inside the church where you can get the "blessed" soil that believed to give healing. We attended a Sunday mass at 12PM in English. 10:30AM is in Spanish. Plenty of parking too.

Such a beautiful place to visit, was our first time and it was so beautiful. So many memories are here and such historic places. Definitely would recommend people go visit this place, get holy dirt and water and pray for your loved ones!! 🙏🏽❤️🫶🏼

The peace my family and I felt while visiting this beautiful sanctuary was just outstanding! God is so good. We were able to take home Holy Dirt, would recommend to anyone looking for answers and healing.

If you’re seeking a unique experience outside Santa Fe, this is the perfect destination. The grounds offer a traditional atmosphere, making you feel as though you’ve stepped out of the USA and into the outskirts of a Mexican village. The church is stunning and serene, with its old-world charm beautifully preserved. While exploring, you can visit various shops for spices and art, but the architecture is a must-see.

Easy to find and park. Very quiet and easy to navigate. Wish there was more signs with facts/history. Nice stop if you're on this way to/from Santa Fe.

Beautiful sanctuary with many small chapels, loads of history and meaningful spaces. Inspiring, touching, and serene. Worth a visit for pilgrims and visitors alike.

My boss recommended that I visit this place. It was very peaceful. Free to walk around.

This is such a beautiful place to see. Whether or not you are religious, this is a special place to visit and reflect. Even though I am not a Catholic, I felt very welcome here. The chapels are lovely to go into and just be still. They have a couple of shops you can visit around them, and you can collect some Holy Water and Dirt to take with you.

What a beautiful sanctuary in northern New Mexico. I'm not Catholic but Christian, but I found this place to be quite moving. It's a very quiet and calming place. It's amazing to stand and soak in a place that's been around for over 200 years. A bit somber to see all of the pictures and kid shoes, but I was in awe seeing all of the crutches lined up. Lastly, we did take a bit of dirt to take back. I got two very small snack containers, one for myself and one for my sister. I will say if you're coming to get the dirt don't be selfish and dumb about it. There was a couple in front of us who were taking bags and bags and containers of the dirt. They were also taking a lot of the holy water that was in front of the chapel. Don't be that person. I can taking some for a family member or two if they can't come with you, but it was like they were taking loads back for an entire village. I don't know it was just a bit weird and off putting. You're still in holy ground in a holy place, don't lose your common sense when you're there.

I enjoyed visiting El Santuario de Chimayo more than I thought. It is located outside Santa Fe, we stopped on the way to Taos and spent more time that I thought. The grounds are fascinating to visit, the whole place is unique and has a lot of history behind it. It is a place for pilgrimage for lots of folks, there are time periods where it can get very crowded. Built in 1816, Chimayo went through more additions and troubles. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1970. For me, the building is very New Mexico in the good way style wise, simple, with adobe accent. The place si a bit isolated, quiet, spiritual. Like no other I have visited. Definitely stop by if you visit this part of NM!

Kudos to the folks walking the pilgrimage trail. It's some 7.5+ miles. We drove it. The pastor Roca only died some 7 years ago that had started the most recent walks for over 40 years. You need proper shoes, hat and sun protection and lots of water and snacks too. You don't realize how far a walk it is until you drive it. There are port-a-Johns along the way. The church is compact but still serene and quite peaceful too.

When you enter through the public parking lot at the back, you may come across three statues that symbolize three cultures that defined New Mexico. Behind these 3 statues is the Virgin of Peace. The church is very old and rich in history People can take time inside when there is no mass. El Santuario de Chimayo is sacred, calm and full of peace and spirituality. I think that you can feel all that even if you practice another religion that is not Catholic or do not practice any. It is really a very quiet and beautiful place. Every time we visit Santa Fe we make the journey to Chimayo and enjoy its surroundings.

My husband had researched this church before we went on our trip and surprised me one morning by driving out here- it felt like the middle of no where, I will say that! But it was about 8am when we got there ( we were still on CT and ready to go early in the morning!). Since it was so early, and a little chilly with it being the end of October, we were the only ones there besides a groundskeeper who was lighting some candles. Parking looks tricky if you are planning to visit during a busy time of year. Very impressive architecture inside the church, it just felt really special and unique- very loved. We are not very religious people, but this was one of our favorite parts of our trip to the Santa Fe area.

I can't believe that it has taken me so long to review this incredible, historical church. My husband and I were on our 25th wedding anniversary trip in the fall of 2017 and this stop was just one of many surprises that he had in store for me. We took a beautiful route up through the mountains to the quaint little town of Chimayo, New Mexico. The sanctuary was built in 1816 and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark as of 1970. Many people have made the pilgrimage to visit this place and now count me in as one of them. The sanctuary does not allow any pictures, but once you have been there you will never forget it. Upon entry into the sanctuary there is a six foot crucifix with Christ. It definitely stops you in your tracks and made me sit down and listen. It was so quite and I felt such a powerful, spiritual force at work here. The grounds cover 6.4 acres and there is a lovely creek that runs through the property. The stations of the cross are built out of stone and also run along the perimeter of the property. The peaceful gardens are blessed with all kinds of crosses and fountains. Many people have come here and brought pictures of their loved ones, asking for prayers and/or blessings. There are so many little shrines set up for people from all walks of life and all ages. In a small little room called the "el pocito" which means little well there is hole in the ground where the "Holy Dirt" lies. You are allowed to take some of the dirt with you but you have to supply your own bag. Many pilgrims rub it on your body which is what I did along with saying a prayer. The dirt is supposed to have healing properties and it definitely helped me when I had fractured my foot. It is not recommended to eat it, but long ago some pilgrims did. I shared the dirt with some of my catholic friends who really appreciated it. My experience here was so uplifting and I am so glad that my husband and I were able to visit this magnificent church. I highly recommend when you are in New Mexico that this is a stop on your journey.

An old, old, old historic church that many walk to for the pilgrimage. For me, I drove and stopped when I was on the high road from Taos to Santa Fe. Built in 1816 there is a lot of history here and there are actually two chapels of historical significance. El Santuario de Chimayo is actually designated a National Historic Landmark. The first chapel we explored has the small pit of Holy Dirt. Most people come to see the Holy Dirt but I was more taken aback by all the crutches in this place. Unfortunately there was no one from the church to answer questions but several were answered by the kind woman working at the nearby trading post. She informed us that people will walk into the church with the crutches and be cured, leaving them in the church as they walk out independently. It is thought the Holy Dirt has healing powers. Similarly, we did not even know about the second (church of children) until we went in the nearby trading post. Santo Nino de Atocha Chapel has a ton of children's shoes - we were told to not be alarmed and that many people bring the shoes here. People also leave what seemed like thousands of prayer requests. The churches are open everyday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. This place is worth checking out if you're in the area and enjoy history. The grounds were quite peaceful.

4.5 stars I had never been here before and had always wanted to come, especially on Good Friday. Given the Governor's/Archbishop's orders, my friend and I decided to make the drive up there on Palm Sunday. It was great to see so many people had still walked the way. Most of the buildings were open, so we got to go through the Chapel with the holy dirt. I was speechless to see the wall lined with crutches and wheelchairs that no longer are used because of the healing that had taken place on these grounds. They had mass outdoors (due to capacity restrictions and the expectations of larger crowds, but ran out of palms). The setting was absolutely perfect with the gardens, statues, and the creek surrounding the outdoor altar. Father Sebastian Lee was funny and relatable. The snack shack they usually have was closed that day and so was the "barn". The children's chapel was open, and it was sad to see the tiny shoes lining the ceilings donated by families of the children who are no longer around... The roads going through Chimayo are like their own town with a market selling paintings and chile and playing Spanish guitar music. Even if you're not religious, this is still one of the most sacred sites in New Mexico. There are plenty of other restaurants, adobe-style hotels, and recreational activities to check it in the area. 2021 #46

Nicely laid out. Parking is plentiful in the rear. It really is a visual tour, not many history plaques that are informative. Clean with tourist venues\shops and one food place. Kid friendly. Quiet place to meditate. What amazed me were the hundreds of pictures of people needed prayers. If in Chamayo it is a must see.

This Roman Catholic church is designated as a National Historic Landmark and receives almost 300,000 visitors per year. It has been called the most important Catholic pilgrimage center in the country and some pilgrims walk from as far as 100 miles. Many visitors take a bit of "holy dirt" with them for its supposed miraculous healing powers (eating the dirt is discouraged but dirt baths are approved). I found the space to be peaceful and sedative. The grounds are beautiful, with a little gurgling creek. While I'm not at all religious, I can feel that this place means a lot to people. There are walls of photographs brought by visitors -- loved ones to pray for. There are pilgrimage crosses with diseases written on them. That's powerful energy right there. I'm sure for believers, this place is very profound. I simply enjoyed exploring the calming grounds and thinking about its meaning for people. Had no problem finding it using my GPS. Pretty large parking lot.

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? 4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. 7 All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. 8 All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there a thing of which it is said, "See, this is new"? It has been already in the ages before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. Don't park in the Father's space, the one marked "Priest Parking." He has an earlier Mass on the mountain and to be on time for the 10:30 Mass he must have his space. If you park in his space Mass will start late and there will be an admonition and justifiably so. Rabbit will also have to leave the hot sanctuary and gak in a bucket.

Pleasantly surprised by a stop at this church. The grounds are quite nice and the Church itself is pretty cool to see. We did see the holy dirt and enjoyed some quiet time under a sunny sky. It's worth a stop on your way for sure - maybe not a special trip for this alone, but a nice drive from Santa Fe.

The sanctuary at Chimayo, as the name of this place suggest, many pilgrimage visit this Roman Catholic Church. They have holy dirt and it is believe to cure sickness or brings miracles. I suppose you need to believe in to work? I didn't take any for those actually in need. This place left me with lots of question marks in my head. I need to look up online to learn more about this place. I stopped by here without knowing anything about it. Why am I leaving five star useless review? I felt so peaceful here. Can't explain it. Hardly any cell signal here. I had to drive about a mile to get my cell signal back for Yelp check in and direction to my destination. I will try to learn more about this place before my next visit to Northern New Mexico and will update my review. Until then hope you enjoy your visit to this peaceful place.

This is a hard place to find! We drove up and down the road more times than I care to admit before finally stopping to ask for directions. Once we had a better idea, we paid far better attention to the signs and found it. We are not particularly religious but always find it interesting to look at the beauty of older churches. The paintings and architecture are really beautiful here. This church is known for its healing of the sick and there is a room to get healing dirt. We didn't partake in that but it was interesting to see. There is a trading post next door where we bought some of the local chimayo chili.

Worth a detour if you are driving between Santa Fe and Taos, the Santuario Chimayo is a national historic landmark known for its "holy dirt" which is reputed to have healing powers. The Santuario is relatively small in size, but huge in importance and from the visceral feeling you have while visiting the interior. The inside is impressive with stained glass and a colorfully ornate alter all to the glory of god. The floor is uneven stone, primitive by modern standards but truly inspirational and significant when viewed in its totality. Ample free parking available. Plenty of signage to direct you from the main roads. Handicap accessible.

Although I am not religious, I appreciated the historical landmark of the church grounds and architecture. We can all learn so much about people and ourselves through history.

I first visited this sacred place in 1975 while on a camping vacation from Chicago with Jane who was shortly thereafter to become my wife for forty years. Nine years ago we retired to New Mexico (Corrales). I now visit this place at least twice each year. Creator has endowed this Santuario with a magnetic spiritual force that will raw you here often as it has me. Just sit in a pew and Creator will tell you why you are here.

Word to the wise: If you plan on attending mass, come early, really early! We attempted to attend the noon mass, and arrived right around noon. Well, in normal Catholic mass this is never an issue, as any Catholic will tell you. Let's just say that Catholics, as I know them, are habitual tardy type folk. Well in this case, the little chapel holds maybe 50 people tops! Then it's standing room only, and the room for those standing, is maybe another 10. So just come and soak in the historical value and appreciate the beauty! Do this, and you will be impressed I promise! France has Lourdes with their holiest of Holy Water! Which admittedly I'd love to see with my own eyes one day! I mean, who wouldn't? Nevertheless, New Mexico has El Santuario De Chimayo with their holiest of Holy Dirt! Seriously, their dirt is supposed to be blessed and you're supposed to bring a pocket full home with you, which we did. However, they sell nice little containers to put it in. Whether you're Catholic, Mormon, Non Denominational, or just your average oblivious Joe, this place is pretty cool! It is living history and worth the drive from Albuquerque.

I can't express enough how in touch with nature and at peace one feels being in New Mexico. If you're comfortable disconnecting and embracing history, simplicity, and nature you're in for a spiritual experience, one that will stick with you long after your trip is done. El Santuariou De Chimayo might best be known for it's holy dirt, but the grounds just feel holy. I don't know how to explain it, it's a visceral feeling you need to experience for yourself. It was also really cool to pass people we saw walking on the highway, on a pilgrimage to the sanctuary.

This was one of my mom's favorite places to go. I think she would come here to pray for patience and strength. They say that miracles happen after you have come here and prayed. And I do think they happen because my mom raised ten children and she needed all the help she could get. Or maybe she prayed that we would not kill one another. We took a road trip and took the high road to Taos. If you haven't been on the High road to Taos I highly recommend it. There is so much to see and do on this route from Espanola to Taos.

This beautiful historical church must stop on the High Road from Santa Fe to Taos. The Sanctuary is awe inspiring and the grounds are simply beautiful. A stop for pilgrimages known for healing powers there are many prayer requests all over the grounds. There is a strong sense of reverence on these hallowed grounds, and all visitors need to respect that. Stop and say a prayer and enjoy the scenery.

Such an incredible, spiritual experience. Whether you are religious or unsure, you must do the Chimayo Pilgrimage when in New Mexico. You can go in and receive some of their infamous healing dirt, or pray for loved ones that are in need. We genuinely enjoyed our experience here and we left with our souls feeling a little lighter. You can easily spend 2 hours exploring here. If there is something weighing on your mind, there is even a prayer book or an opportunity for you to leave a picture of a loved one for others to pray for while visiting. For more on what to do, check out our blog. https://kasventures.org/2019/09/11/road-trip-from-taos-santa-fe-nm/

Beautiful church. It was worth the drive out there. The grounds are so peaceful, you could take a nap as the breeze wisps along your skin. We sat inside of the small church. Took a moment in the room with the holy dirt, located on the side of the church. Two ways to get in there, enter the church and walk all the way down and make a left, or you can enter through a door on the left side of the church. There are restrooms, thank goodness! Nice little gift shops in the area. Parking was tricky, but if you keep driving past the church, you'll find a rather large parking lot. Park there. So the holy dirt is supposed to heal you. Inside the room were tons of crutches and pictures of people to pray for. I found it moving. Almost teared up looking at the pictures of sick people.

I have never had a more spiritual experience than this beautiful church. You can't help but be moved by the hundreds of photos of loved ones being prayed for and the amazing history. I felt renewed by the peaceful gardens and beautiful stream behind the sanctuary. I definitely understand why people make pilgrimages here.

Incredible. Just plain incredible. It's like living history. Sincretismo in progress. I guess this place is popularized for its miracle presence. But I'm persuaded that humanity presence here is what makes this place awesome. It's so colorful and full of life. Retablos and images are so relatable. Stories out of the bible come to life here. And loved ones who have passed through here come to life. It's like a celebration of life rather than death. And it's a stark contrast to typical Catholic churches that are cold, quiet and empty. My favorite was the Santa Nino de Atocha church. You could spend hours taking in all the wooden benches and retratos that tell a story. And the color. So much color. So much vibrant life all around. That and the tamales are really good.

Time, there is never enough of it. Walking around this church, seeing the walls filled with all the photos of loved ones lost. Many, many faces of beautiful children, men & women. A shrine of baby shoes fill the walls, toys of every kind, crutches, leg braces, personal items of the sick & weary are all around you. Left behind by a family member who's heart is completely broken. Thousands of faces, thousands of broken hearts. As all of these people were deeply loved, taken too soon. I keep walking thru the church as the sense of loss is overwhelming. I know it all too well. As my husband kneels down & takes some dirt for us we look back of what our lives have held, as the minutes pass, we see what fell through the cracks. Time. As I see more & more people arriving at the church to collect the healing dirt. People on crutches, in wheelchairs, people wearing medical masks, their loved ones faces haunted by precious time. I think of my own loss, my own broken heart. The loved ones that have gone on before me. What I wish could be returned. My mother, my brother, my only child. Parts of our lives we withheld, time did not warn us. The times we squandered. Time passes, minutes turn into hours, hours turned into days, days into months, months into years, I do not forget you, my heart does not forget you nor does it stop breaking. Time only goes by. Time after time I try so hard to forget the tragic blemishes of life, it's stains of sorrow & regret. I wish we would have never fought. I can not take back that time. Its said that time heals all wounds but I have not found that to be true. And as my husband & I get ready to leave with our dirt, our little container of hope, we decide to stop & kneel to pray. My whole future, all my hopes & dreams, all the time I have left is sitting right beside me. My husband takes my hand in his as we say a little prayer. I pray for all the broken hearts, the children, the men & women, all the faces, the sick & the weary, their loss, their grief I know so well. Then I pray as I pray every time, that for my remaining loved ones, time be kind. This church is a very very special place that everyone should visit at least one time.

I can't believe I'm reviewing a place like this, it's a church after all. Reviewing a church seems sacrilegious to me.... But if it catches someone's attention and it allows them to find this corner of the world, then this review won't have been done in vain. Firstly, I'm not real religious person. I was born into a Catholic family so this kind of place is one that I'm familiar with. Holy sacred sites like Chimayo are highly coveted in the Catholic tradition... Miracles are stuff that Catholic dreams thrive on and people search high and low for signs from God, on religious statues/ on sides of a wall/ pieces of burnt toast even. I've seen many a miracle sight around the world, Lourdes, the Basilica St. Anne de Beaupre in Quebec City.. But I gotta say, Chimayo is different.... It's a place that inspires a lot of skepticism in people. A miracle pit of dirt that magically heals those in pain and those who are suffering and in need of help? My scientific deductive/ rational mind would immediately reject a place like this.... But I've been here a few times, I know the legend of this place and yet, I still find myself returning here. Its kind of funny, each and every time I do, I find something different... The first time I found myself here, I ended up speaking to a complete stranger, who reminded me of the kindness and warmth of my long deceased Grandfather- his mannerisms and our conversation brought me back to a memory that's been lost in the recesses of time. On my last trip here, I found a wonderful peace just reflecting on the absolute beauty of the grounds here. A peace if you will, comes over me when I'm here. Call it spiritual/miracle site, a sacred holy ground, call it what you will, I won't argue with you.... It is special. It's got a little something-something that cracks open my jaded, cynical heart just a little... And allows me to let in just a little hope for something more.

It's a spiritual place. I've driven here several times in the past two years for "grounding." There are only two other places that do this for me. The Pali in my home town and in a valley in the Himalayans. The drive on the high road to Taos reminds us of Bryce Canyon. The canyons are carved by the wind and rain. The landscape is the color of orange. It looks like a scene from a western movie. This is why we love the southwest. The moment you step on the grounds of the Chimayo, there is a sense of peace. People walk in silence as though they are meditating. They say the dirt heals illness. I don't know if it does but I have hope. Hope can heal many things.

Of all the things I love to do on my yearly trip to Santa Fe, taking the High Road to Taos is at the top of the "must do" list, and a stop in at El Santuario Chimayo is part of that. While many people come to this church as part of their personal, spiritual pilgrimage, visiting this church for those who have no particular interest in spirituality or religion can still be a great experience, for the history, alone, is really quite interesting. The grounds are beautifully kept and you won't find a better place for some of the most breathtaking photography of the Sangre de Christo mountains. No sense in re-writing what everyone else has penned here about the holy dirt, the quaint gift shop or the serenity of the place - What is important is the history of the church. The sanctuary itself definitely IS a beautiful, special place, with wonderful wooden sculptures (traditionally called bultos) and pretty paintings on wood (called Retablos). But, additionally, you can experience so many of the traditional celebrations of the natives. Be sure to check out the calendars and schedules so you're able to catch some of the local "flavor" such as the Matachines show, the aztec dances, and the Novena Las Posadas (the nine day procession that exhibits Mary & Joseph's search for an inn), where last of the nine day ceremony culminates at Chimayo. They really have some wonderful celebrations at Chimayo! All in all, don't miss the opportunity to visit the little town of Chimayo and this church!

One of the most blessed and spiritual awakening you will ever encounter in your life! A must on everyone's bucket list! Yes, remember to bring a container for the holy dirt!

I made it a point to bring Gayle, Jim, and Erin here during our September visit to Northern New Mexico. It's a little more "commercial" than our 2008 visit, but a little container of that holy dirt goes a long way. Erin even used it on her broken foot, and I'm sure a miracle happened. Better yet, we were in the church proper on Sunday morning and there's just something extra holy about this place. And I'm still not Catholic. Gayle who is feels the same way.

Amazing place! We attended an outdoor Mass here on Sunday morning. It was a really special experience. So glad that we learned about this place on Real Life Catholic on EWTN. We even brought back some of the healing dirt. I highly recommend making a pilgrimage to Chimayó.

El Sanctuario has always been one of my favorite churches in Northern New Mexico. I hadn't been here in years and I was shocked at how developed the whole complex has become around the church. It is a peaceful setting with lovely views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The Sanctuario is always a spiritual place and we had the pleasure of conversing with the elderly priest who said he is 94 years old. Delightful fellow and very beloved by his parishoners. Worth a visit to enjoy the Spanish mission architecture and northern NM culture.

Sanctuaries. My daughter snuggling into bed in the morning, waking me up before she tickles me. Pickles. Billie Holiday. Central Park. My mother's lasagna. Autumn. Chimayo. Definitely Chimayo. This place, oh this sacred, soulful place. Chimayo has you before you arrive, the High Road to Taos is something of a rising oratory, a winding tale of, well, deliverance. That's the feeling I get, anyway. By the time I've reached the parking lot, I'm fully spellbound. This state, its people, the traditions and cultures, they're pretty ancient, and Chimayo seems to be the epicenter of that... whatever it is. Energy. This is a very heavy and enlightened place. I am not a religious person, never have been. This sanctuary grips me like my daughter's smile. This is an absolute must on your tour of northern New Mexico. Like the Taos Pueblo, it will never be forgotten. It is a refuge that claims its very dirt will heal the sick, and I'm willing to believe it. And the best part of the baptism is the chile. When you're through with the tour, go grab a bowl of green chile stew, or a bag of spices to take home. Chat with a local. New Mexico True.

We were visiting in Taos on Easter weekend and decided to go and visit this historic church. It was well worth the side trip to see this small church. Parking was full but I was able to find a place below the church and the walk up to the main building was very pleasant. This is well worth the side trip.

I want to share something with you that you may find to be interesting. I visited the church in September of 2019 and obtained some of the sacred dirt with the hopes of a miracle. I am a stage four advanced prostate cancer patient and that my cancer doctors have told me that there is nothing that they can do for me except to keep my testosterone levels at zero in order to slow the growth of the metastasized cancer cells. Chemotherapy is not an option for me at this point. I go to Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit quarterly for female hormone shots (called Lupron) and to renew my experimental drug prescription for Enzalutamide, which is intended to help keep the cancer cells from getting into my bones. Once it's in the bones, I'm a goner. They take full body bone scans and full body CT scans once per year after giving me radioactive isotopes by injection and orally so they can actually see the cancer in my body and measure its progression. Well, I was at Karmanos recently for my full body scans and they wanted to talk to me about the results. A doctor that I had not met before was there and he said, "You know, Mr. Fannon, we have no cure for your cancer and the meds that we administer to you do not have the capability of killing the cancer at all, however, your cancer cells are receding significantly. In other words, your cancer cells are dying and we have absolutely no idea why this is happening. Whatever you are doing in your life, keep doing it." Then he said, "I have heard of this happening during my career, but I have never actually seen it myself, so I wanted to come over and meet you and tell you about this myself." So, what he is saying is that my cancer is going away and they don't have a clue as to why this is occurring and that I should make no changes in my life or in my personal habits whatsoever so that it might continue. Between you and me, I have reduced the amount of stress in my life significantly. I believe that stress is a major contributor to the cause of cancer. I also eat a lots of fresh vegetables with garlic and onions all fried in olive oil every day along with a fillet of swordfish or chicken or a big juicy steak. I drink lots of coffee in the morning and into the afternoon and I drink a fair amount of whisky in the night while smoking some pot! I also listen to music that is incredibly relaxing around the clock. I've also reduced the amount of artificial light in my environment and rely on firelight from the fire that I have going in my fireplace almost around the clock. Last but not least, I asked Jesus for his help to get rid of this cancer by showing me the way to do it, so I just follow instructions by pursuing my cravings that I get, which is how all of the aforementioned items have come into my life. I'm hoping that this trend continues, and if so, then perhaps all of my cancer will go away. I credit my visit to this church and my prayers to Jesus Christ for this rare occurrence.

Feb 2015 While the exterior of the church itself wasn't as inspiring as I'd expected; the interior was full of other-worldly religious arts of a kind you don't find in my white-bread world. They were ancient, colorful and visually appealing. I sank down into one of the pews & let the peace of the church soak into my senses - bringing me to silent tears as I prayed for my sister's struggle against cancer. Afterwards we roamed around the exterior a bit -took pictures of the various adobe walls & incredible amount of lovely tile work found in seats, inlaid walls & many unexpected places. Wandered through the gift shop. We enjoyed a quick hot dog lunch onsite at Lorena's - a somewhat dusty café. Just inside the lower parking lot, we browsed the stand of an enterprising young woman who had beautiful handmade scented soaps for sale. I was happy later I'd bought several as they were hugh hits with family members & retained their scents until they were teeny slivers of soap. As we were driving out, we realized there was a huge area right around the corner from the main church & across the upper parking lot. A chapel with incredible stained glass & a couple of other shops at least. Alas we didn't stop - after seeing other traveler's incredible pictures of what we missed, I wish we had!

So what if the dirt is from Home Depot. Really incredible little church, with beautiful squeaking pews and low doorways in the back that lead to a small pit in the ground with a plastic shovel. I'm not religious, but I do really find religion fascinating. The crutch-lined walls, the photographs fit together like a quilt, the glowing candles lit for unspoken prayers. Stop by the gift shop to purchase all the typical items like rosaries and candles, professional photographs, ceramic containers to hold some of the holy dirt. It's also worth taking the time to walk around the grounds - it's very peaceful and there's actually quite a bit to see.

Some sites in America remind you where we came from, this is one of them. I personally look at the American Story as one of conquest and domination and this little outpost is one example. It is a sacred site and holds that 'energy' for sure but it's antiquity is a reminder of what institutions and structures shaped America. I've never sat for mass, and recall one priest telling me he served five parishes which would take a whole day if he drove from one to the next. As a pilgrimage site it has done miracles for many and so if you are so inclined grab a handful of sand and pray hard. You can likely buy some top notch chile from a vendor along the flanking street (or shall I say Camino).

The Santuario of Chimayo is a quiet place of contemplation. It is an incredibly serene place, hidden in the mountains. It's been called the Lourdes of the West, but it doesn't have the chaos of Lourdes. It's a rustic mission church. It's famous for its sacred dirt. The place is very purifying. It heals the mind and the spirit.

April 2010 Many visits to Chimayo! . . . . And each just as moving as the first! By sheer chance in 2003, after getting married at the Cathedral of Santa Fe, my wife, Jessica Luu & I happened to stumble upon El Santuario de Chimayo on our journey through Northern New Mexico. We are residents of California & came to New Mexico to share our wedding vows. Upon entry at El Santuario, I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace & tranquility. There was something about this place; just something far beyond description! When we returned to California & time went by, the images & feelings of Chimayo continued to thrive vividly in our minds. In 2004, my mom, Maria Xavier of San Francisco, California, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. That same year, we made a Good Friday Pilgrimage to Chimayo in hopes of her being cured of her disease. This was our first of, so far, three walks. On Christmas Day 2005, we were back in New Mexico & met Fr. Julio for the very first time. While at the Santuario. I explained to him that we were having fertility issues & we would be seeking the direction of a fertility specialist in February 2006 if we were not successful. Fr. Julio simply looked at me, very humble & said that 'there must be a reason why' & simply let the issue to rest. I really was not sure how to interpret what he just told me, nor had any clue to what it meant or may come to mean. Time advanced & February came with no sign of success with fertility. On February 16, 2006, we consulted with Dr. Victor Fujimoto at UCSF Women's Health Center in San Francisco. The fertility process would end up with several routine tests to be administered to both of us. One test in particular was of Jessica's thyroid. This is standard protocol, as a properly balanced thyroid has a lot to do with conception. This routine test came back a little less than routine. To be exact, far less than routine! The test determined that she had thyroid cancer at the age of 29. Everything seemed normal; Jessica had no pain, no symptoms, nothing! This was a shock! I was so upset & depressed with the diagnosis but came to remember what Fr. Julio told us on Christmas Day. I immediately felt better about the situation & felt that we have 'found the reason' that Fr. Julio spoke about. I called Fr. Julio that night to tell him about the diagnosis. Although the road ahead was laid out with lots of uncertainty, I felt that God truly was holding us high & helping us down the path. The cancer was in an early stage & deemed to be very treatable. Surgery occurred in September 2006 with a follow up surgery in December 2006. A single dose of radiation was administered in February 2007 & all was looking on the up & up! Shortly after, in April 2007, we returned to Chimayo for a Good Friday Pilgrimage. We started our pilgrimage at Santa Cruz Church, walked to El Santuario & walked back to Santa Cruz Church, a total of some 15 miles of pilgrimage. We walked this pilgrimage in hopes of success for Jessica's cancer treatment. This was Good Friday Pilgrimage number two. On Good Friday, April 10, 2009, after being blessed by Fr. Julio, we 'walked the walk' to Chimayo. We began at Holy Family Church & we prayed for success with fertility. This was our third Good Friday Pilgrimage to Chimayo. On April 14, 2009, while on Sacred Native American soil in Taos, New Mexico, we learned through blood tests taken at Holy Cross Hospital that we were going to have a baby! Our Good Friday Pilgrimage was successful & we ended up being blessed twice; twins! Jezenya Bernadette-Chimayo Xavier & Joseph Anthony-Chimayo Xavier. For the record, all three Good Friday Pilgrimages provided us with endless gifts of miracles! Our initial 2004 walk has yielded continued good health for my mom. Our 2007 walk has enabled Jessica's cancer to remain at bay & our 2009 walk has provided us with two healthy bundles of joy! In the very near future, we will be returning to Chimayo with Jezenya & Joseph for our fourth Good Friday Pilgrimage; a pilgrimage in Thanksgiving for our answered prayers. Thank you GOD for hearing our prayers! Thank you El Santuario de Chimayo for such a sacred place & for miracles beaming everywhere & mostly for providing hope & inspiration for tens of thousands of pilgrims. George Mendoza was correct when he said "In all the places in the world I have been, this must be heaven.' You were so right, George! God bless everyone who visits Chimayo! Come to 'el posito' with your aliments & leave with new found hope, inspiration & miracles! Mike Xavier & Jessica Luu San Francisco, California

This place was awesome. Such a good peaceful vibe and beautiful sites to see. The church and sacred dirt room was amazing. I wish I had known they served food there I heard they were the best tamales ever!

If you are in Santa Fe and looking for a day trip idea, I highly recommend taking the High Road to Taos. (Take the Low Road back for a different scenic drive.) And one of the High Lights of the High Road (see what I did there?) is El Santuario de Chimayo. Now, I am not a religious person AT ALL. I barely made it out of catholic school alive. But I was so moved by this beautiful, rustic place that I would have seriously considered getting married here, had I known about it earlier. I can't really put it into words except to say, if you have the chance, go. Oh, and be sure to purchase some delicious baked goods and maybe a tamale from the little shop on the grounds.

I recommend coming here early in the morning when it's quiet and empty and you can pray and enjoy it in silence.

OPEN ON THE WEEKENDS! We almost did not go because the hours listed above state that 'they' are closed on Sat and Sun. They are open daily from 10:00 to 5:00 from October to April. In the other half of the year they are open daily until 6:00. We were just there yesterday and it was a gorgeous fall day. The beauty of the setting surrounding the church compound added to the experience. Red maples, giant trees with golden leaves, cows in the pasture and the quiet made the experience even more special. I wish the restaurant with it's bright tacky Slush Puppies sign was away from the church itself. There are several touristy buildings up a small hill from the church itself and the restaurant could very well have been located there. (I do know that they need to make money to run the sanctuary and that sign would draw children's attention. Parents could buy the treat to appease their child for a bit.) Selfishly, I wish photos were allowed in the church itself. I am fascinated by Hispanic culture and would love to have photos for my collection. I DO understand and agree why they are not allowed. Not trying to take photos did make me really try to soak up the images in my mind. One of the more unexpected items in the outdoor gathering area was the statue and explanation of the Vietnamese connection. Informational handouts were available in Vietnamese and English. Surprising and cool. The donor of the statue and its pedestal was not emblazoned on the base. On each of the four sides there were engraved Vietnamese sentences -most likely devotionals or scriptures- and "donated by a Vietnamese____". (I can't remember if it said Vietnamese person or family.) Lastly, the so-called healing dirt is really sand. It looks as though it were emptied from a bag anyone could purchase at Home Depot. Obviously with the number of people visiting this church, any holy dirt would run out quickly. I am going to read more about how the dirt becomes healing. Could you put anything in the hole and it would become healing as well? This is a must-see for anyone interested in culture, religion, spirituality or history. We arrived from the south and the drive alone was worth the time.

One of the prettiest churches I've seen even though it is simple and quaint. When I visited it was very crowded and an outside mass was going on. Many believe that they were healed after visiting the church and there is a room filled with crutches, photos, baby shoes and other personal items. There was a line that lined outside in order to dig up the "holy dirt." I keep mine on my bedroom dresser. Many can say they have holy water but how many can say they own holy dirt?

Of all the churches I visited in New Mexico, this one was by far the biggest complex of the lot. I spent around an hour here, maybe a bit more leisurely than some, but all the same it's a big spread. I mean, there's a huge illustrated map given out, to give you an idea. The church itself is beautiful and serene. The artwork on the altar has abstract red and black vertical stripes filling in empty space. I'd never seen that before - it almost looked African. The figures of Christ and the saints are done in Classic Spanish style, those gaunt bodies and El Greco faces that appeal to me so greatly. Spanish religious art always has a folk art element to me, which draws me in to the religious significance of it as an art for the people. (I hope I am not sounding pretentious with this.) Near the side door to the altar is where the holy dirt "well" is found. You can buy a container in the gift shop if you so desire. This will sound ridiculous, but I was afraid that carrying a container of dirt would flag me as a suspicious person in airport security, but thankfully no worries. Just in case you're crazy like me and think of such things. You might think the Children's Chapel is just a sidebar, but I found it almost as lovely as the main church and perhaps more moving. Particularly going into the chapel and seeing all of those baby shoes. Baby shoes kill me, especially when there are so many of them together. There's nothing that quite says love and hope and expresses the fragility of life and the passage of time like baby shoes. I think it unifies us all, no matter the religion or lack thereof, and combined with the children's beautiful artwork it was just an unexpected experience. I have a couple of kids who are going through shoes quickly as I type, so I feel it a lot right now. Outside there are some lovely statues, frescoes, and of course the amazing mountains as the backdrop. If you want to reflect, you have picked a very appropriate place.