High on a hill, the Santuario del Señor de las Misericordias offers more than a place of worship. It is also home to the most venerated image in San Pedro Atocpan. Have you heard of it?
To get here from the town square, walk up Tláloc street. Follow the long walkway and climb the staircase to the massive Santuario del Señor de las Misericordias structure. It was completed in 1977.
Before its construction in 1977, a story unfolded in the 16th century. It involved woodcutters and a statue of Christ. The statue was made of pasta de caña.
Woodcutters from Santo Domingo Ocotitlán were crossing the mountains. They discovered a two-meter-tall statue of Christ crucified. It was perfectly modeled from a light material. It seemed to be made from corn stalk paste. The woodcutters shared the news. They returned with friars to a place named Tlapantitlán. The friars declared they had found the Señor de las Misericordias. They recommended the figure be cared for. People said that it was especially miraculous. A humble chapel was built there for the Cristo.
The statue remained in a corner. Those in charge could not give it proper care. It was in a narrow shelter. Chickens even perched on its arms.
Many indigenous people returned to the mountains due to local landowners. More people from Santo Domingo Ocotitlán came to Tlapantitlán. They settled near the Señor de las Misericordias.
The statue started to deteriorate with more followers. People noticed broken fingers. They decided to take it to restoration specialists in Mexico City.
The restoration specialist had a dream. He dreamed he was brought the same crucifix. He was told its fingers were injured. He fixed them without instruments. The statue showed him a balm. It asked him to rub it on the wounds. He did exactly as he dreamed. The fingers were perfect. The artisan said the work was not his. It was a miracle of Christ.
The people returned to Milpa Alta. Transporting the delicate statue was long and difficult.
The group rested in Xalimoloya near San Pedro Atocpan. They sought food and stayed overnight. They could not move the Señor de las Misericordias the next day. It was too heavy. The combined strength of the men was not enough. The group continued on. They shared what happened.
More people from San Pedro Atocpan tried again. It was no use. The Señor had chosen this land. It is called Yencuictlalpan in Náhuatl. The Chapel of San Martín was built on the hill’s edge. It would properly house the statue. It remained there for four centuries. Then it moved to the Santuario del Señor de las Misericordias.
Inside the Santuario del Señor de las Misericordias, notice the vaulted ceiling. It is made of stone and brick. The spacious nave has colorful stained-glass windows. The main altar displays the black Christ. This Cristo is made of cornstalk paste from the 16th century. Tradition says that this is the Señor de las Misericordias.
Before you leave the Santuario del Señor de las Misericordias, pause on the terrace. Take in the sweeping view of San Pedro. You may think about the rich history and the deep faith. The Santuario del Señor de las Misericordias stands as a testament to both. This church was declared a historic monument in 1933.