2017 "Love Is."  1 Corinthians 13:4

2016 "Behold, I make all things new." Revelation 21:5
2015 "JESUS the BRIDEGROOM." John 3:28-30
2014 "DO THIS." 1 Corinthians 11:24
2013  "You did for me." Matthew 25:40
2012  "Blessed is the fruit of your womb" Luke 1:42
2011  "Silence"
2010  "You are the Beloved" Matthew 3:16-17
2009  "For to me Life is Christ" Philippians 1:21
2008  "Walk in Him" Colossians 2:16
2007  "If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it." John 14:14
2006  "Sacrifice"
2005  "I have called you friends"
2004  "Encourage one another and build one another up"
2003  "Do not be afraid"
2002  "Be intent on things of above, rather than things of the earth"

Compiled and Searched by: Ernestina Cordova; 1998

In a small valley twenty five years ago, The Spirit of God, touched a small group of men who began a spiritual journey that continues today. The following is a brief history of the Pilgrimage for Vocations.

Father Michael O'Brien, pastor in the village of Estancia in 1972, had promised a fishing trip to young men who had helped him paint the church. When he asked them where they wanted to go, Rosendo Barela, Jr. responded, "to Chimayo!". Fr. Mike asked how were they going to get there. The response was "walking". The young men reacted with enthusiasm, even though it was over 100 miles. That was the simple beginning of the journey.

In 1973, the first year of the beginning, forty men, young and old from Catholic churches of the Estancia Valley and Mountainair set out to walk. These peregrinos experienced hot, dusty, sweaty, confused and exhausting days. There were tears of joy at the arrival in Chimayo. Was a tremendous success. The answer to many prayers was a confirmation that the walk for vocations was on the right road. A new archbishop was Robert F. Sanchez.

In 1975, the third year a theme and a song was developed into the picture. The first group from Taos Valley began to walk to Chimayo. 1976. It was the bi-centennial of the nation and in New Mexico the 350th anniversary of La Conquistadora, also known as Santa Maria de la Paz. She was honored at the opening and closing mass. It was the first year that a staff was formed and the first year of staff retreat. Theme: "Christ is the first step to the Rest of your Life".

1977 was the first northern pilgrimage for vocations. It was made from Ranchos to Chimayo via the Rio Grande and Espanola. Theme: "Walking by faith for a better Tomorrow".

1978 the second northern pilgrimage took place for the first time from Costilla to Chimayo, via the high road to Taos. The first encuentro in the history of the history of the pilgrimage took place in Costilla with peoples from the villages of Costilla and Cerro at 5:00 AM. Theme: "Christ is the Stairway to Heaven".

1979 was the seventh annual pilgrimage to Chimayo. It was a growing year. This was the year that the Guadalupanas began to participate at the encouragement of Fr. Luis Jaramillo and under the direction of Sr. Rosina Sandoval. The first official photographer was Vicente Martinez. Theme: "Caminando Unidos Para Hacernos Uno".

In 1980 Father Mike began to develop new leadership. It was the first year of an adult staff. Fr. Mike became the Spiritual Director and Donald Martinez, Sr. accepted the responsibility of being the first "Rector". Joe Vogil was the first peregrino to become a priest. He had walked in 1976. Father Arturo Tafoya was the first peregrino to become a Bishop. This year 350 peregrinos made the pilgrimage. Theme: "Come Walk With Me".

In 1981 the southern route was re-opened. Two routes with peregrinos from Estancia to Chimayo and Costilla to Chimayo, meeting only when they reached their destination. A few members of the Guadalupanas joined them on the Northoute. Theme: "Somos Un Pueblo Que Camina".

1982 In addition to the Northern and Southern routes this years pilgrimage from the East and West were added. Women did not walk this year. Peregrinos now looked forwarding to completing their cross by walking all four directions. Theme: "Que Viva Christo Rey!"

After Fr. Mike, Father Steve Rosera and Father Phil Herndon took over. Father Ed Savilla became the overall spiritual director since 1989.

There was a fifth route added from the Southwest under Father Phil Herndon. After Father Ed took the commitment to oversee the pilgrimage, he had to discontinue four of the routes. Once again with only one route the pilgrimage continued. One route is able to support the number of peregrinos. The route rotates through the five routes.

Father Ed Savilla is responsible for allowing the women return to walk for the June Pilgrimage. They had walked one year in 1981. In 1990 women came from the northern route and since then continue to do the pilgrimage in June. This year the women walked form the north and the men from the south. After this year, one route was added every year until the four routes were back in place. The fifth route was added for the twenty fifth anniversary.

Pilgrimage through the years has been a renewed experience for all those who walk. It is a journey for the spirit as well as the body and a tradition in the Roman Catholic Church since the Middle Ages. This tradition has been revived for the past twenty five years in northern New Mexico where peregrinos go to a small village in northern New Mexico where a shrine, El Santuario de Chimayo, houses a sandy hollow of earth that is attributed to healing properties. There is an air of holiness in the whole place.

It is beautiful to know and share experiences that take place during such a prayerful journey. There are several reasons pilgrims give for going on pilgrimage. It may be for a family member, an illness, for forgiveness of personal debt, for personal favors, in thanksgiving for a blessing or miracle in their life especially for the increase of religious vocations. All of the pilgrims are committed to the sacrifice they will make for their own spiritual growth.

This year for the twenty fifth year, "Our Silver Jubilee" our theme is "Were not our hearts burning inside as he talked to us in the road . . . and how we had come to know him in the Breaking of the bread." Luke 24:32-35

The religious clergy pilgrimage was February 19, 1997. May Pilgrimage this year was May 10, 1997. May pilgrimage this year had an additional route from Holy Family. It started with Holy Hour with a three mile walk into Chimayo. Closing Mass was at 10:30 with celebrant Father Ed and assisted by Deacon Donald Martinez.

On June 1, 1997 different parishes through out New Mexico and other states send off their Peregrinos and Guadalupanas on the walk. This year five routes took place. Closing Mass was at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 7, 1997, with Archbishop Michael Sheehan, Father Ed and several other priests officiate.

"Our people love pilgrimages. In them the simple Christian celebrates the joy and filling immersed in a multitude of brothers and sisters journeying together toward the God who is waiting for them. This action is a splendid sign and sacrament of the great vision of the church offered to us by Vatican II. The family of God pictured as the people of God on Pilgrimage through history journeying toward the Lord".

(Latin American Bishop Conference 1979)

G O D B L E S S A L L O F Y O U !