Diocese of Las Cruces celebrates the 109th Tortugas Pilgrimage

TORTUGAS, New Mexico -- Dozens of members of the Diocese of Las Cruces and the La Corporacion de Los Indigenes de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe are holding the Annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta and Mountain Pilgrimage through Thursday.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta is an annual tradition that has taken place over the last 109 years. The public is encouraged to participate.

A candlelit procession took place Wednesday morning, where dozens were seen singing and dancing. The pilgrimage included some members of the group hiking the mountain barefoot or on their knees as a sacrifice.

"It means a lot to us because of the vows and promises that people do," said Bill Acosta, war captain. "The mountain is sacred to us, it's a church. We do have mass up there with the bishop. It's so sacred that some people climb it on their knees."

Another celebratory Mass is taking place on Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe.