Our Lady of Guadalupe Tree, carving of the Virgen de Guadalupe in a
cottonwood in Albuquerque, taken with my mother-in-law’s iPhone,
October 2008, photo © 2008-2009 by ybonesy. All rights reserved.
healing from inside
the heart of a cottonwood
nuestra señora
The story goes that in 1970 a parishioner of the 300-year-old San Felipe de Neri, Albuquerque’s oldest Catholic parish, carved the image of the Virgen de Guadalupe into the open wound of an ancient dying cottonwood. The Virgen saved the tree’s life.
Hundreds of people, many tourists, pass the cottonwood each day—it stands behind the church, which is in Old Town—without ever knowing that Nuestra Señora is hidden inside.
I took my mother-in-law, Celia, to see the tree one day in October of last year. We had just visited another sacred spot, a hidden chapel, also dedicated to the Virgen de Guadalupe, to pray for Celia’s recovery. She is a private woman, and this is the first time I’ve divulged on red Ravine that for the past four years she has been fighting a deadly form of lung cancer called Small Cell Carcinoma.
Celia completed the latest round of chemotherapy in November, and last week she got a clean bill of health. I’ve been holding on to this photo since our visit last year; I wanted to post it today as a way of thanking the saints and the universe for Celia’s remission.
Today many people I know confront challenges. Illness, job loss, matters of the heart and spirit. For all of you and all of us, may the Virgen de Guadalupe bring solace and healing.
The cottonwood’s scar is closing, and soon the carving will be locked inside. I’ve been told that the carver’s son is seeking a way to remove the carving without harming the tree. I wonder if the best course would be to allow the Virgen to become the tree, as she is already.
-related to posts haiku 2 (one-a-day), Mary In Minnesota (haiku for yb), Virgin Mary Sightings, and The Virgin Mary Appears On A Bug.
redravine.wordpress.com 
ybonesy, wonderful post. It’s so hopeful. And I’m so happy for Celia and her clean bill of health. It must be such a relief for Jim and the rest of the family. Miracles and healing. The photograph of the tree turned out great. It’s so clear for an iPhone shot. I’m glad you saved it for this day.
I like the idea of the carving being enveloped by the healing of the tree’s scar. I agree…let the Virgen de Guadalupe be swallowed by the center. I can’t think of a safer place. Lovely post. And one I needed; it was a challenging day.
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I thought of you, QM, when I wrote it. 8)
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face of a Virgen
brightens New Moon at midnight
friends rally around
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ybonesy- joyous news! And magical post, thanks for sharing so many wonderful things. I love how they tie together.
& heya q.m. 🙂
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yb, how wonderful that Celia has a clean bill of health! This September will be the 2nd anniversay of cancer free for my Dad.
I love this photo! I agree that she should remain where she is. Truly awesome! D
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Thanks, diddy. Great news about your father. What kind of cancer did he have?
Heya amuirin.
QM, take care today. Hang in there.
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yb, prostate cancer. the same cancer that took his oldest brother’s life & the same that is claiming his only remaining sibling. I’m so happy for Celia. D
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This story and the image are magical, and I think she should stay within.
I loved your haiku…
“healing from the inside”
is “the way”
Thank you for sharing this. 🙂
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yb, I’ve been meaning to comment on this post for a while. I am always admiring your spiritual and religious posts as they are always so heartwarming and inspirational. As a Vietnamese Catholic, we give devotion to the Virgin Mother as well. I wish I could see some local “miracles” or even art like this! I could imagine that it’s more beautiful in person!
I wish your mother-in-law good health! 🙂
And thank you so much for stopping by my poetry LJ!! It always makes me smile.
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Thanks A. She is just beautiful in person. The tree is big, not exactly really healthy. Behind it is the church and around it on the other side is a small parking lot for the church. The only water it gets, most likely, is what it’s ancient roots tap (unless perhaps a little priest or nun comes out with a hose, which I could see happening). I read somewhere that this tree is 300 years old. Cottonwoods live about 100 years, I believe, but I suppose that like anything else, some live longer and some not as long
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Hey! I love your website! You’re accumulating some very important images. It is wonderful to see them together. Truly great stuff to be contemplated.
As for the tree devouring the Virgin, seems like the devouring should be left to continue. The Virgin will rise again, the artist should create again.
Take good care, good luck with your blog.
Chao, Kim
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Thanks for stopping by, Kim. Your feedback is much appreciated. Hearing from others as to what they see when they visit the blog—well, it’s always energizing to me and my blog partner.
I haven’t checked back on the tree since last year to see what the verdict is. I just can’t imagine that the Virgin could be removed without killing the tree. It’s important to document the carving as she is today and as time passes, so that we remember the miracles she brings, but yes, allow her to become the tree. She will rise and she continues to in our lives everyday.
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[…] The story goes that in 1970 a parishioner of the 300-year-old San Felipe de Neri, Albuquerque’s oldest Catholic parish, carved the image of the Virgin de Guadalupe into the open wound of an ancient dying cottonwood. The Virgin saved the tree’s life. (Haiku and text from Red Ravine, “Virgin Cottonwood Haiku“) […]
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For ybonesy….I remember. Honoring the past, and what has come before. The beautiful soul.
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