The pilgrims who began their 9-day walk, or Caminito, to San Juan de Los Lagos, should be arriving today, to receive the blessing and miracles of Our Lady of San Juan de Los Lagos.

Nine days ago, in the pre-dawn darkness, in front of Harry’s Bar in el Centro de San Miguel de Allende, a few hundred San Miguelitos, like myself, gathered to join them on the first leg of this centuries-old journey.

While the pilgrims come from all over Mexico to participate in what is considered among the most significant and grueling pilgrimages, leading to the miraculous image of Our Lady of San Juan de Los Lagos, us locals were raising funds for the Domestic Violence Prevention program at C.A.S.A., a organization serving poor adolescents and rural women and their families since 1981.

Domestic violence crosses all cultural and socio-economic boundaries; it is reported in 60% of Mexican households. C.A.S.A., housed at a beautiful facility west of centro, provides education and training, focusing on early intervention and building knowledge and skills so individuals are better prepared to manage their own lives. Additionally, the organization offers a community center for young people, maternity hospital and family health clinic (free HIV testing, pap smears, birth control, etc.), Mexico’s only government accredited school of midwifery, child development center, library, counseling, anti-violence program and a number of outreach, advocacy and school-based programs. Indeed, a worthy organization to support!

Also participating in the 8th Annual San Miguel Walk were supporters of Mariposas San Miguel, the slogan of which is: imagine a world without violence. Former Santa Fean and well-known artist, Lena Batula, founded Mariposas and is devoted to empowering indigenous women, from rural areas in the region, to produce colorful and functional hand-crafted products, thereby taking charge of their lives and supporting their families.  If you’re looking for a beautiful, unique gift for your self or a friend, you’ll find it at Mariposas online store and support the vitality and independence of these talented women.

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As I was standing in the field, snapping photos, a slight and seemingly shy young man of maybe 20, approached and asked in Spanish if I were a “peregrino,” a pilgrim. “No, I am sorry but I am only here to see the beginning.” “Too bad,” he replied. “Have you walked this before?” I asked. “Oh yes, many times. This will be my fifth.” “Are you walking alone?”  “No, I’m with my parents,” he said, pointing to an elderly couple walking slowly arm and arm across the grass, his father using a cane. “They have done it 12 times.” “How can you take off for nine days and walk?” “How could we not? It is our faith.”