Sanctuario de Guadalupe

Images of this Lady appears everywhere in Santa Fe.  This particular statue stands in front of Santuario de Guadalupe and has frequent visitors, as you can see.  Constructed in Mexico, it has an interesting history. (I scheduled a few photos from my archive, and we're still driving, but will get to Santa Fe soon!)


Credit: THE JOURNEY

Catholics from Northern New Mexico made a journey from Mexico City with a 12 foot-tall, 4,000 pound statue of the Patron Saint of the Americas. The statue was placed in front of the Santuario de Guadalupe, the oldest church in the United States honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. The journey to New Mexico followed the Camino Real, the historic route taken from Mexico City to the northern territory of New Mexico by early Spanish settlers.

The statue and the spiritual and physical journey were born out of controversial use of one of the most revered and important images in Hispanic culture. But that is not why the faithful pursued this project. Their pursuit was one of dedication, faith and discovery.

The statue is the work of reknown Mexican artist Georgina "Gogy" Farias who herself has a strong devotion to Guadalupe.

This website [listed above under "Journey"] will share photographs by photojournalist Joshua Trujillo and some of the stories from the group's journey north. You can click on a photo to see a larger version or to make a print for personal use. For publication contact the photographer.

First Sunday of Lent

In a state where Roman Catholicism is an important religion, we have visited many of the area churches. Since I missed posting something for Ash Wednesday, I want to include photos appropriate to the church calendar.  This beautiful mosaic is on the wall of the passageway at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, close to the Plaza. While attending the services, I and my husband were made to feel very welcome by both the clergy and parishioners. We have also noticed many other religious denominations and churches throughout the city.

This shrouded crucifix is in front of the Cathedral.  A definite reminder of Lent and the Passion of Christ.

Willa Cather

"The miracles of the church seem to me to rest not so much upon faces or voices or healing power coming suddenly near to us from afar off, but upon our perceptions being made finer, so that for a moment our eyes can see and our ears can hear what is there about us always." (Death Comes for the Archbishop, 1927)