Santuario de Chimayo

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Chimayo, New Mexico

This wonderful structured is believed to have been built on sacred earth with miraculous healing powers, as a private chapel by Bernardo Abeyta around 1814. He commissioned several santeros, including Molleno and Jose Aragon to paint altar screens.  The healing earth is contained in a small pit in a side chapel dedicated to St. Raphael the Archangel.  For over 150 years, pilgrims and locals have visited the chapel for the miraculous healing earth and often leave their crutches and braces to hang on the chapel walls along with written prayers of gratitude. The drawer in the base of the sculpture, done by PJ Cardinale, contains not only a vial of the miraculous earth but also an assemblage of artifacts of the Catholic faith and space for the owner of the piece to place their own symbols of their personal belief system.

Note: Piece is signed on the side and on the bottom.  The drawer is signed on the side of the drawer by PJ Cardinale

Roberto Cardinale & PJ Cardinale

2015

Painted pine

12 ½” Wide x 17 ¼” Deep x 16 ½” High