In a small valley thirty two years ago, The Spirit of God, touched a small group of men who began a spiritual journey that continues today. 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 they were 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 the 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. In 1975, the second year was a tremendous success. The answer to many prayers was a confirmation that the walk for vocations was in the right road. A new archbishop was named, Robert F. Sanchez. In 1975, the third year a theme song was composed for pilgrimage. The first theme was “Christ - Alive and Walking”. T-Shirts came into the picture. The first group from Taos Valley began to walk to Chimayo. 1976, was the largest group to date - 176. It was the bi-centannial 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 a staff was formed (leadership positions) and the first year a staff retreat was conducted. The theme was, “Christ is the first step of the rest of your life.” 1977 was the first northern pilgrimage for vocations. The route was from Ranchos de Taos to Chimayo, via the Rio Grande and Espanola. The theme was, “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 pilgrimage took place in Costilla with people from the villages of Costilla and Cerro at 5:00 A.M. The theme was “Christ is the Stairway to Heaven.” 1979 was the seventh annual pilgrimage to Chimayo. It was a growing year. This was the year the Guadalupanas began to participate at encouragement of Fr. Luis Jaramillo and under the direction of Sr. Rosina Sandoval. The first official photographer was Vicente Martinez. The theme was: “Caminando Unidos Para Hacernos Uno” (Walking United to Become One).