Path of Faith: Hundreds of Devotees Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Chapi in Arequipa
Around 400 pilgrims embarked on the journey to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Chapi, in a pilgrimage marked by devotion, effort, and the desire to draw closer to the Mother of God. This event was organized by the Christian Life Movement (CLM) in collaboration with Universidad Católica San Pablo (UCSP), Instituto del Sur (ISUR), and Solidaridad en Marca (SEM).
Pilgrims at the Chapi Sanctuary.
Our brother José David Correa, Superior General of the Sodalitium, also participated in this pilgrimage, along with a delegation of young people from the CLM in Lima.
A journey filled with sacrifice and faith
The pilgrimage, held annually, featured four different routes for the pilgrims. From the sodalite community “Nuestra Señora de Chapi”, one group began their journey on Saturday, September 21, at 6:00 p.m., facing a trek of approximately 60 kilometers to the Sanctuary of Chapi.
Other pilgrims departed from ISUR, taking buses to Yarabamba or to the well-known “Siete Toldos,” and then continued on foot, covering distances ranging from 10 to 40 kilometers.
The pilgrims walked along arid and dusty paths, accompanied by temperatures that dropped to 10°C during the night. However, this cold was contrasted by the warmth of their effort and the prayers that guided them with each step.
“We always try to make a pilgrimage under the full moon because it lights our way and serves as a beautiful symbol of Mary’s presence in our lives”, commented María Angela Macedo Masías, who was in charge of organizing the event.
Pilgrims in Chapi – Arequipa.
Spiritual Preparation and Community
Before the pilgrimage, preparation days were held in both Arequipa and Lima. In the Ciudad Blanca (“White City”), the pilgrims participated in a day of prayer that included the Holy Rosary, Lectio Divina, and confessions, while in the capital, a spiritual retreat was led by Father Christian Yamanija, SCV.
The spiritual day culminated with the Mass at the Sanctuary of Chapi, celebrated by Father Alberto Ríos, SCV, in a moment filled with reflection and contemplation.
“Confessing after a long journey and being able to celebrate the Eucharist in front of the Virgin is a unique experience,” mentioned Jorge Guido Aroquipa Anccasi, in charge of the San José Pastoral Center in Paucarpata. “The path to holiness can be difficult, but with our Mother, it is much more bearable.”
Testimonies that Reflect the Spirit of the Pilgrimage
Image of the Virgin of Chapi in Arequipa, Peru.
Carlos Montalvo, a student at UCSP and a member of the CLM, participated for the first time in organizing the pilgrimage, a task that profoundly impacted him. “Organizing these activities involves sacrifices and battles that only one knows, but they are rewarding when you discover that by loving in this way, you become closer to the Reconciler”, Carlos reflected.
His closeness to Our Lady of Chapi led him to deep meditation: “I asked Mamita de Chapi, ‘Why do we have to come here?’ And her answer helped me see that we often ask the same question of God. But the truth is that He comes close to us; we only need to take a few steps to find His embrace and companionship.”
On the other hand, Virginia Montes Guevara, who made her first pilgrimage from Lima, shared the hardships of the journey and how physical fatigue transformed into an opportunity for prayer. “There were difficult moments, especially when the altitude affected me, but I remembered that in our weakness, Christ becomes strong. This thought gave me strength to continue until I reached the embrace of His Mother,” Virginia commented, visibly moved.
For María Del Pilar Corrales de Llaza, a member of Betania from the CLM, this was her 15th pilgrimage. Despite the challenges to attend, she felt the call of the Virgin. “In the last pilgrimage, I decided at the last minute; they had already closed ticket sales, but then I received a call saying, ‘Mamita wants you to go,’ and we went. I feel that the Virgin always calls us and welcomes us”, she shared with gratitude.
An Experience of Faith
Catequesis en el nuevo templo del Santuario de Chapi.
Upon arriving at the Sanctuary, the pilgrims, tired yet filled with joy, shared experiences, went to confession, and participated in the Mass in the new main temple, which has not yet been officially inaugurated.
“It was a privilege to enter the new temple and receive a small catechesis in front of the main altar, decorated with beautiful scenes from the life of Saint Mary,” expressed María Angela, who highlighted the work of the Sanctuary’s rector, Father Zacarías Kumaramangalan, for his hospitality and generosity.
The pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Chapi is a tradition that remains alive and renews the faith of those who participate year after year. It is a physical effort that becomes a spiritual journey, where fatigue and difficulties transform into prayer and closeness to God. As María Del Pilar expressed: “At your feet, Our Lady, I arrived tired… but filled with your love.”