With blistered feet, tired bodies, and prayerful hearts, a group of peregrinos and guadalupanas (male pilgrims and female pilgrims) embark each summer on a 100-mile pilgrimage through the sun-soaked hills and quiet roads of northern New Mexico. This year’s pilgrimage was from June 9-14.

The 100-mile pilgrimage for vocations typically occurs the first week of June and has taken place since 1973. The walk was started with the overarching goal of praying for vocations to increase the number of those called to the priesthood and religious life. Now, people walk for prayers and petitions of the local community.

Their destination: the Santuario de Chimayó, a sacred site known for its spiritual healing and of deep cultural significance to the region.

Peregrinos and guadalupanas sang songs cheerfully, the same songs that gave them strength to continue on their journey. These songs resonate for many northern New Mexicans who recall their grandparents singing these sacred hymns throughout their childhoods, serving as a source of comfort and strength.

Upon arriving, pilgrims are greeted by their loved ones to attend mass in the courtyard and celebrate gallantly at the Santuario.

Questa’s Martin Maes was chosen to give a testimony of his experience doing the 100-mile walk for the first time in his life. He underscored the importance his faith played in his weeklong journey to the sacred site.

This year, a significantly strong presence of Questeños walked with the group, including 14 children and great-grandchildren from Lucy and Malaquias Rael Sr.’s family.

Family members participating in the walk included Lynnae Rael, Angelica Lovato, Alyse Lovato, Jocelyne Ortega, Hailey Rael, Gerald Cisneros, Joshua Aragon, Miguel Rael, Matthew Rael, Isaac Ortega, Dedrick Rael, Eli Rael, Karina Rael, and Ashlynn Rael. They walked together, giving one another encouragement to hold on to strength through their faith in God.

Isaac Ortega, 19, is the son of Jacqui and Isaiah Ortega. He took some time to speak to our publication about what this year’s walk meant to him. “Our family made this year so special. I walked with my aunt Lynnae, my sister Jocelyne, and so many cousins, including one of my role models, my cousin Miguel,” Isaac said.

Isaac acknowledged that the walk was a big part of his family’s history, noting that it goes back generations. “I decided to walk with encouragement from my cousin Miguel. I did the first year with my dad, and that was special to me because we bonded and strengthened our relationship with each other and with God,” Isaac said.

“This year was my third year of walking, and I really feel like each walk helps me grow in my faith in different ways each time,” he said. “My tia (aunt) Lynnae is another one of my role models and inspirations for these pilgrimages. Her and Miguel just encourage us and help us continue forward and I am grateful for them,” he said.

Angelica Lovato is an older cousin in the group and completed her fifth walk alongside her Rael primos. Angelica is the daughter of Danielle and Jose Lovato. “Walking with my cousins was such a special experience. I also was able to walk with my tia Benita on my dads side. It is amazing because not only do we grow closer to each other, but we grow closer to God.”

Lovato says her family’s history with the walks was a big motivation to start walking when she was in high school. “My family values this sacred tradition. I do this walk because it’s a way to disconnect from the real world. It’s so beautiful and spiritual and it brings me closer to my faith. The community I’ve built through doing these pilgrimages is truly special – it’s unlike anything I can ever say I have experienced.”

While stepping into the shoes of the older cousin, she acknowledges that she serves as a leader for her younger cousins on this journey. “It was so great to have some cousins who had never done this before get involved. I did my best to help them and provide words of encouragement and support for them. Somethings they have to go through on their own, but I did my best to support them with advice and encouragement along the way.”