Chimayo, New Mexico: El Santuario de Chimayo Shrine

Miraculous Catholic shrine in New Mexico. Many attest to the spiritual and physical curative powers of faith in the sacred dirt.

There are art galleries and gift shops all around the church. Wear your walking shoes! All the fences surrounding the properties are decorated with crosses and rosaries.

Truly unusual as churches go. And they have snowcones!

I truly believe in the miracle of this Holy place. In the Spring of 2000, my husband, two children, and I traveled there on our way to Colorado from Dallas, Texas. I was pregnant and having many complications already (I had already recently lost two children from miscarriages), and when we arrived at the Santuario, I felt an overwhelming peace and the presence of God and I couldn't stop sobbing. I begged Jesus to please let me keep this baby growing in my tummy, and I promised Him I would come back w/ her in my arms to this holy place. And also promised St. Francis to name her after him! Once we left there, and headed to CO, the bleeding stopped and now 8 yrs later, I have a beautiful daughter, Madeleine Grace Francis, and we have already visited there once w/ all 3 kids, and Madeleine in my arms as I promised our Lord I would (as I call her, my "Chimayito miracle") but its been several years, and now, this time next week, God willing, we will be traveling to Chimayo again, but this time, we will walk in there, my Chimayito Miracle, and I, hand in hand and she will be able to pray and tell God what her heart desires and thank Him for the miracle that she is!

El Santuario de Chimayo has been known to carry on many miracles. Having visited several times from California, I spoke to the priest on Christmas Day 2005 and introduced our dilemma. I explained to him that we were having fertility issues and if we have no luck by February, we were set to see a fertility specialist. His response was simply "There must be a reason why... think about it."

At the time, I did not know how to interpret this statement, but quickly came to discover the powers of El Santuario. Upon going to the fertility doctor, my wife (28 years of age) learned through fertility blood tests that she had thyroid cancer! She had no symptoms and her primary care physician never saw a problem with the thyroid. I immediately remembered what was told to me by the priest. I called him that night and explained the situation.

Being told this information on Christmas Day, it helped me to come to terms and acceptance of the situation. Surgery occurred shortly after and she has been doing well since. We continue to frequent El Santuario on an annual basis and try to do a Good Friday Pilgrimage.

Believe in the sand or not? It is a peaceful and moving place for all!