The Black Christ

Photo Source: Guatemala Guides

In the 1500’s, the people of Esquipulas desired to have a crucifix in their church.  Upon hearing of their desire, the Bishop of Antigua commissioned an artist to make a crucifix for them.  When it was completed, the villagers went to fetch it.  They built a platform on which to carry it back to Esquipulas.  As they walked through the countryside, the holy image drew hundreds of admirers.  Once in Esquipulas, the crucifix was placed in a small church. A pilgrim from Mexico prayed at the feet of crucifix, and was healed from his illness. The good news traveled fast.  Thousands of pilgrims came to view the crucifix. They brought candles for their relatives who could not make the journey.  Inside the church, the pilgrims burned their candles, along with a resinous incense. The smoke darkened the wooden crucifix. People began to call it the Black Christ (Writings of Scott Thomas).

The Archbishop of Guatemala made a pilgrimage to the Black Christ in the 18th century.   He was inspired to make the church bigger.  Then the popes began to visit. Pope John XXIII in 1961 and Pope John Paul II in 1996.  Pope John Paul II was moved by the pilgrimage experience and wrote about it here. The seed for the 1996 Guatemalan Peace Accords, which ended the Civil War, were drawn up in the holy town of Esquipulas (Lonely Planet). 

Today, thousands of people undertake a pilgrimage to Esquipulas during the year.  Many arrive in traditional clothing.  They sleep on the streets and sell their wares in colorful markets.  They spend hours standing in line, just to have a couple of minutes with the Black Christ.  Then they return home with tablets of healing clay, “tierra santo” and await their next pilgrimage opportunity.