El Santuario de Chimayo

04/20/2026

As the deacon Stephen goes about preaching the Good News of Jesus' death and resurrection for our sakes, there are some who speak against him, telling lies and attempting to ruin his reputation as a true follower of God.

There are those who do the same today--sometimes against us, sometimes against others we may know. If you've been there, you know the pain that can cause. Let us place ourselves and those others in God's loving embrace, trusting that God will protect them and keep them safe.

Spirit of the Living Jesus,
protect us all
with your loving compassion.

TODAY'S READINGS:
Acts 6:8-15
Ps 119:23-24, 26-27m 29-30
John 6:22-29

04/17/2026

Today's gospel passage is John's presentation of the feeding of the thousands--a narrative found in all four gospels, and therefore with a message of great priority. In it we see Jesus first satisfying the bodily hunger of the people before he works more healings and preaching.

WHO are the hungry ones in my life? My spouse and children? A sick neighbor? A family who recently lost a loved one in death? Those entering the local Soup Kitchen? A stranger who knocks on my door seeking food? And, HOW do I feed them? With what kind of attitude and facial expression do I share food? Do I serve with a smile or a grudging look? Are my portions appropriate and healthy? Do I give even the piece I'd rather have for myself?

Bless us, Lord,
and the gifts of food we share,
gifts first of all from you.

TODAY'S READINGS:
Acts 5:34-42
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
John 6:1-15

04/16/2026

The Apostles, in today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles, proclaim to the High Priest and the Sanhedrin that they were witnesses of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. To what Good News am I a witness? God's healing of a dear friend? A neighbor's acceptance of her mother's recent death? The beautiful Easter Vigil wherein a significant number of persons were baptized into the faith? The marvels of a day marked by sunshine and/or rainbow? A reconciliation between two friends? The miracle of a new birth? A poor acquaintance reaching out to help someone poorer than he?

God of All Life and Good News,
we praise and thank you
for all the miracles
with which you surround us.
Guide the eyes of our hearts
to never miss seeing
the marvels you grant us.

TODAY'S READINGS:
Acts 5:27-33
Ps 34:2, 9, 17-20
John 3:31-36

04/15/2026

Today's Entrance Antiphon quotes from Psalm 18:
"I will praise you, Lord, among the nations."

This verse reminds me that Pope Leo is on a 10-day, 4-country African pilgrimage, where he is indeed praising God among the nations. Having already been to Algeria, he is now in Cameroon (where 2/3 of the population is Christian), after which he will spend time in Angola (a primary source of early U.S. slaves) and Equatorial Guinea. Let us pray for our Holy Father, that his visit will continue to be marked by praise of God--by him and by those he visits--and that Leo's visits will yield much fruit in his work for justice and peace.

TODAY'S READINGS:
Acts 5:17-26
Ps 34: 2-9
John 3:16-21

Pope Leo XIV is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. He is the first pope to have been born in the United States, the first to hold either U.S. or Peruvian citizenship, the first from the Order of Saint Augustine, and the second from the Americas.

04/14/2026

Today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles begins, "The community of believers was of one heart and mind. And later... "there was no needy person among them," because each shared what they had with one another.

While that might sound utopian, it was not. Those believers were simply following what Jesus had taught them--to love God above all else and to love one another as he loves us. Let us pray that we as individuals, as parish and other communities, as nations might also strive to think and act as one Body of Christ, held together by Christ's love.

TODAY'S READINGS:
Acts 4:32-37
Ps 93:1-2, 5
John 3:7b-15

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04/11/2026

As I post this message (at 10 a.m. MDT), the Holy Father Leo XIV is leading a Prayer Vigil for Peace at St. Peter's Basilica, with the encouragement that Christians throughout the world join in praying for peace. We pray for God's peace, which Leo reminds us is not just a silence of weapons but a transformation of hearts. Let us pray together:

Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, pray for us.
Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Heavenly Father, transform our hearts.
Spirit of the Risen Christ, grant us your peace.

03/30/2026

How many of us have said, or heard a family member or friend say, since Daylight Saving Time began earlier this month, how much we enjoy having more daylight at the end of our day? Sunlight ight lifts our spirits, helps us see better if we return home late from work or a meeting, allows us time after work or school to work in the yard, garden or fields.

Yet, while the sun is the most important physical body lighting our life and our way, today's Psalm Response reminds us that "The Lord is our Light and our Salvation." How and when has God been the most important light in your life?

TODAY'S READINGS:
Isa 42:1-7
Ps 27:1-3, 13-14
John 12:1-11

03/28/2026

On this last Saturday before Palm Sunday, Holy Week and the Triduum, let us remember in our prayers all those pilgrims who are or soon will be walking to the Santuario. May their journey be blessed in every way! And may those of us not literally walking continue to experience blessings as well as we move toward the culmination of our Lenten Journey!

We offer this Pilgrim’s Prayer of St. James, Patron of Pilgrim Travelers.

(St. James the Apostle is known as the patron of pilgrim travelers because, during medieval times, his sanctuary in Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain was one of the most traveled pilgrim routes in Christendom (known through the centuries as the Camino de Compostela). Whether on a journey to a distant shrine or to a local place of veneration and importance, it is good to pray with St. James for his protection during the journey
and for our own conversion of heart before, during, and after the encounter. St. James was also one of the three disciples chosen by Christ to journey with him up Mount Tabor for the Transfiguration; with this in mind, we pray with St. James that we, too, might have a transformative experience on pilgrimage.)

This ancient prayer (origin unknown) comes at the end of pilgrim Masses said along the Camino de Santiago:

O God, who brought your servant Abraham
out of the land of the Chaldeans,
protecting him in his wandering across the desert,
we ask that you watch over us, your servants,
as we walk in the love of your name to [insert your destination here].
Be for us our companion on the walk,
Our guide at the crossroads,
Our breath in our weariness,
Our protection in danger,
Our home on the Camino,
Our shade in the heat,
Our light in the darkness,
Our consolation in our discouragements,
And our strength in our intentions.
So that with your guidance we may arrive safe and sound
at the end of the road and enriched with grace and virtue
we return safely to our homes filled with joy.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Apostle Santiago, pray for us.
Santa Maria, pray for us.

03/26/2026

Holy Family of Chimayo Mission Churches will be open for visitors/pilgrims on the 4th Saturday of the month, April through September. See below link for details.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579505669339

Welcome to the official page of the Camino del Norte Missions! Nestled along the historic Camino del Norte trail, our missions are a testament to the rich cultural and spiritual heritage that has shaped our community for centuries.

12/19/2025

Tuesday, December 23rd 7pm - Posadas at El Santuario de Chimayo. ALL ARE WELCOME. Please join us afterward for cookies and a piñata. Those who wish can meet at Santo Nino to process over to Santuario.