All images © Kevin Moloney


Gary Duran, a lifelong Chimayó resident, had the image of the Santuário tattooed on his back to show pride in his home. The church, built in 1813 by a member of the Penitente brotherhood, is an icon of local culture.



Chris Armijo started carrying his cross from the Santa Fe Opera complex at 4 a.m. Armijo said he carried the cross on the 25-mile journey as an expression of devotion.



On Good Friday over 10,000 people may walk, run or drive up to the Santuário. The wait to get into the church is long. Pilgrims often must stand in line for up to two hours just to get into the doors of the church, and another two to get through all of the small, hot, candle-lit rooms. These boys sit atop the courtyard wall waiting for family.



A Holy week crowd makes its way to the front of the 175-year-old church to look at the legendary crucifix alleged to have appeared in a hole of healing mud. The stream of the faithful then works its way into two side rooms containing the “posito” of mud and Santo Niño, a child saint popular in the area.



Larry and Patsy Leyba pray silently at the altar of the Santuário. Although the legendary mud and Santo Niño attract most of the visitors, many come simply to pray in the beautiful old chapel. Throughout the year the church glows with votive candles like those behind them.


All images © Kevin Moloney

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