Heaven's Gate

A weathered cross with several embedded Chrysocolla stones graces a quiet corner of the San José de Gracia churchyard in Las Trampas, New Mexico. It appears vandals desecrated this modest expression of faith, love and remembrance by removing the center gemstone. I ponder what is on the minds and in the hearts of friends and family, when they consecrated this Earthly remembrance of their loved one years ago.

Known throughout the world, mystics and healers ascribe properties to Chrysocolla which influence communication, wisdom, emotional bonds, creativity, business sense, achieving balance in life and taming wanderlust. It's a talisman of musicians. Blue-green specimens found in Israel are known as the "King Solomon Stone" and valued as the National Stone.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Heaven's Gate
(Grave marker in San José de Gracia churchyard in Las Trampas NM USA)

Heavenly Grace

Divine clay lies at rest

Soul ascends Jacob’s ladder

God heals grieving hearts

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Eternal Rest
(Churchyard at Santuario San José de Gracia in Las Trampas NM USA)

Light Of Life

Anguished soul yearns for everlasting bliss

By way of divine breath, mid mortal toil,

Removing doubt and despair’s dark abyss

Blessed by the Light of Life to shed turmoil.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Invitation To Prayer
(San José de Gracia Catholic Church in Las Trampas, New Mexico USA)

Light Everlasting

While February weather discourages outdoor activities, I reminisce about a sojourn with a friend. Our passage is the meandering High Road to Taos, New Mexico. At Las Trampas the Santuario San José de Gracia, a humble Spanish Colonial adobe edifice once known as Santuario Santo Tomás del Rio de las Trampas invites respite...we stop. 

The santuario is one of the best preserved examples of Spanish Colonial Mission architecture in New Mexico. Over the main entry door into the nave is a centered relief carving of a cherub and inscription which spans the width of the door. The carved inscription "D MANO D NICOlaS d APOdaCA"(by the hand of Nicolás de Apodaca) is a curious mix of upper and lower case letters.

Nicolás is surely a descendant of Diego González de Apodaca, a soldier who escorted Governor Don Alonso de Pacheco de Herédia from Mexico City to Santa Fe in December 1641. Memorialized by the inscription in the door lintel, I presume Nicolás is the artisan who crafted the entry around 1780.

In mind's eye I wander the walled church grounds, touch the weathered wood at the main entry and run my hands across the coarse texture of protruding straw fortifier in the stucco layered upon its adobe bones. My imagination ignites and I wonder what might have been. This grand old sanctuary holds stories of joyous celebrations and sorrowful dirges, weddings, baptisms and funerals. The 1780s church is on the National Historic Landmark register.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Everlasting Light
(Santuario San José de Gracia in Las Trampas, New Mexico USA)