Mount Cristo Rey Draws Thousands For Annual Pilgrimage

Thousands of people climbed Mount Cristo Rey Sunday morning for the 72nd annual pilgrimage to the top of the mountain.

The cold didn’t stop many from making the five-mile round trip trek to the statue of Christ for what many describe as a truly spiritual experience.

“You feel like God has come down and blesses you,” said Margie Mercode.

Rose Grandados also came to make the journey. She is from El Paso, but her family and friends who joined her are from California.

Las Cruces bishop Ricardo Ramirez was on hand for the event. Ramirez said Sunday marks one of the largest pilgrimages throughout North America.

“We gaze upon this mountain day after day, but once a year we get close to it and give thanks,” said Ramirez.

The bishop led his parishioners up the side of the mountain as not only a sign of faith, but to remember the history behind the journey.

“The church was suffering. The church was closed and they threw out the priests so they came to El Paso and other border areas. It was than that devotion to Christ the King that was so important. People that were martyrs used to yell out, ‘Long live Christ the King’ or ‘Viva Cristo Rey’ right before they were shot to death,” Ramirez said.

Those who made it to the top said the experience is one that is hard to describe.

“I’m crying but I can’t touch base with what is making me cry. It’s just the emotion that you feel. It’s unexplainable,” said Barbara Landin.