Healing Dirt

Chimayo is a religious sanctuary and church located on the High Road between Espanola, NM and Taos, NM. I heard about this place a few days before my trip and decided to visit on my way to Taos.

One of the attractions of Chimayo is the "sacred sand" or dirt that is found in a hole in the room to the side of the Chapel (pictured above).

The legend of Chimayo goes something like this: A priest a found a crucifix, quickly dubbed the miraculous crucifix of Our Lord of Esquipulas. A local priest brought the crucifix to Santa Cruz, but three times it disappeared and was later found back in its hole, where it was originally discovered. By the third time, everyone understood that El Senor de Esquipulas wanted to remain in Chimayo, and so a small chapel was built on the site. Then miraculous healings began. These grew so numerous that the chapel had to be replaced by the larger, current Chimayó Shrine in 1816.

Chimayo chapel is believed to be built on sacred earth with miraculous healing powers. The shrine El Santuario de Chimayó, is probably the most visited church in New Mexico.

I believe in miracles. If you don't, read my earlier blog on the placebo effect and the fact that over 50% of the prescriptions that are dispensed are actually inert ingredients with no pharmaceutical content. People get well just believing; every day of the week.

Chimayo has an incredible energy. There is something special here. This whole area of Northern New Mexico is enchanted.

I went into the side room just off the chapel where the "holy dirt hole" is located. There were two dime store hand trowels sitting in the hole for the faithful to scoop up. I scooped up some dirt and placed it into a cotton pouch just for good measure.

It is said that the dirt in the hole never runs out.....another mystery.

Can I interest anyone in some dirt?

This stuff fascinates me.....

AHO

Richard