healings at the santuario de Chimayo, NM
            QUESTION from Faith on March 24, 2004

I was in New Mexico last year around my birthday, and at the last minute decided to visit the sacred "Santuario" in Chimayo, NM. I read the legend that claimed a brilliant cross appeared on the mountainside there, and the Spaniards ended up claiming the land and building a church there. As the story goes, the land there is "miraculous" and many people come to gather up the soil for curing whatever ails them. I attended one of the daily masses held there (completely in Spanish) and even met with the Priest. I asked him to bless a beautiful silver and turquois cross I purchased from a native craftsman. He began to bless the cross but then stopped and touched my forehead and said in the most comforting tone "God loves you too." I have to say I was overwhelmed with a mixture of overpowering feelings. I actually "felt" something. And it moved me to tears. I went on to visit the small area in back of the chapel, said some prayers and began to dig into the hole for some soil to take home with me for family and friends, mostly as a souvenier. The priest made it clear the our faith does the healing. I was in awe as I looked at crutches and other things people had left there after claiming to be "healed" of their infirmities. Well, I dug this soil out with my bare hands and we went about our business. To backtrack, I had for about three months prior been suffering from almost debilitating back and neck pain. The pain was so severe it interferred with the vacation and almost forced me to seek help from a doctor while I was out there. But I really wanted to see Chimayo and figured I could see a doctor at home. I arrived home the next day and sat at my computer and suddenly realized I could move my neck and had FULL RANGE OF MOTION, PAIN FREE for the first time in months. I don't know exactly what I experienced out there but even looking back at those pictures of this beautiful place makes my eyes mist. I also visited the famous Loretto Chapel, home of the "mysterious staircase" believed to be built by an "unidentifed carpenter." I wanted to share this experience but also ask what you may know about this place and these "healings." Mind you, I did not go to be healed (my back has always hurt, wasn't looking for anything miraculous) but I cannot shrug off being pain free the very next day! Also, I hear that before the spanish Catholics took this area of New Mexico over, the native Indians had been using it as sacred healing ground for many years. How do the Native American beliefs contradict Catholicism and could all of these "healings" be coming from the same place? Also, my overwhelming emotions, was that just me being emotional or did I in fact experience something? The person I was with could not understand why I was crying as the priest blessed me and I do not fully understand it myself, but something about the way that little Spanish priest spoke to me and touched my forehead. It just went right through me. I had never believed in anything like this before (people being knocked over by pastors and experiencing these great rush's of emotion) but now I have to wonder? I welcome your thoughts and knowledge in this because I just don't know what to make of it all.