Saturday, October 4, 2003
Pilgrimage to Magdalena: Keeping their Vow
Trip is good for the soul, if not the sole
GABRIELA RICO
Tucson Citizen
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MAGDALENA, Son. - For some, it is a personal journey. For others, it's one made on behalf a family member or friend in need.
For all, the purpose is between them and St. Francis Xavier, to whom they have made their manda or vow.
The annual pilgrimage to Magdalena, about 115 miles south of Tucson, is in honor of the town's Roman Catholic patron saint. Because of a centuries-old tradition, it is celebrated on the feast day of another saint, Francis of Assisi, on Oct. 4.
This year, the journey was made on horseback, bicycle and automobile, but mainly on foot, by tens of thousands of people, culminating in today's celebration.
Included in that mix of pilgrims are thousands of Tucsonans who have been making the trek down Federal Route 15 for years and even generations.
"It's the hardest physical thing I've ever done in my life," says 43-year-old Tucson native Eddie Nuņez, who has been making the journey by foot for eight years. "But it's the most uplifting and rewarding thing when you finish."
He and his walking partner, Miguel Arvizu, 31, began their pilgrimage from Nogales at 5 a.m. yesterday. Their plan was to walk approximately 14 hours to the town of Imuris to rest before continuing into Magdalena this morning
"To me, it's an acknowledgement of my faith and helps me gain strength," Nuņez says. "The experience draws you back."
Arvizu, also of Tucson, is making the journey for the first time this year and yesterday said he already could feel the draw.
"I'm going to try and continue to come out and do this" each year, he said.
Fulfilling the manda is the most important thing to these pilgrims.
It is like fulfilling their part of a deal made with St. Francis after a miracle has occurred or while they await one.
The goal of pilgrims' is to arrive in the town of about 22,000 by today.
For some, it is a lifelong commitment - something they promise to do as long as their health allows.
For others, such as Tucson builder John Ochoa, 44, the promise first was made for them by family members who brought him on this pilgrimage for the first time as a young child.
Ochoa and his childhood friend, IBM engineer Bob Miles, 44, a former altar boy at St. Augustine's Cathedral in Tucson, made the trip on horseback, accompanied by 11 other men.
"It keeps me connected with the traditions and roots of our spirituality," Ochoa says.
Upon arriving at the plaza, which surrounds the chapel where a statue of St. Francis lays, the horsemen plan to ride laps around the town as an expression of thanks to God that their journey is complete.
Aside from his personal manda, retired city of Tucson employee Alex Santa Cruz, 57, made the trek for the seventh year yesterday in honor of all people who are ill.
"I do it for the people who are sick - and I don't know who they are - but maybe they have been in an accident and don't have anyone to pray for them," he says.
Santa Cruz, who started from Nogales at 4:30 a.m. yesterday, looks forward to his arrival today.
"You're not tired when you finish," he says. "It renews you."
The first order of business when pilgrims arrive at the chapel in Magdalena is to greet St. Francis.
People stand in a long line that winds around the plaza, anxious to share some news with the saint, who is represented by a life-size statue.
The statue of the saint lies on its back in a quiet room, filled with glowing candles.
The brown robe shrouding the likeness is pinned with pictures of people in need, locks of hair and small, medal icons of legs, hands, feet, hearts - whatever part of the body is in need of healing. For centuries, the faithful have turned to St. Francis Xavier for his reputed healing power.
The pilgrims begin at the saint's feet, touching the statue lovingly. When they reach his face, there are kisses and whispers in the statue's ears.
Many hug the statue and cry - some in thanks and others in despair.
Before exiting, they check to see if they have fulfilled their manda by trying to lift the statue's head.
Tradition holds that those who are successfully fulfilling their promise are able to easily lift his head off the table. For those who cannot, it is a sign they have unfinished business.
At this point, young and old alike have finished their journey and are now able to partake in music and festivities that will last throughout the weekend.
For 16-year-old Juan White, a member of the Tohono O'odham Nation who arrived on Thursday, the future of the pilgrimage lies with his generation.
"It means a lot to me because of the culture and tradition," says White, a student at the Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership Charter School in Tucson. "We can't lose it and it's up to us to keep it alive."
