So Far from God

The chapter opens with doña Felicia and Caridad traveling to Chimayo (or Tsimayo), to join the penitente procession(Lenten Week pilgrimage) on Good Friday. Chimayo is considered a holy spot because a statue of our Lord of Esquipulas (a black Christ) was unearthed there 200 years ago. While in the procession, Caridad catches sight of the most beautiful woman she has ever seen sitting atop an adobe wall. She is overwhelmed by the sight of this woman and reflects: “how could she tell doña Felicia that for the first time in years, since way before the attack, her heart was renewed, moved by another human being” (79). After participating in a ritual of rubbing herself with sacred, healing soil, Caridad approaches the so-called Woman-on-the-wall but loses resolve and runs away after just saying hello. 

After returning home, Caridad remains fixated on the woman, at which point doña Felicia suggests Caridad visit Ojo Caliente, to heal in the mineral baths. Caridad sets out on the journey but stops in a cave to rest and remains there for a year because she sees the sun rise and wants “to be the lone witness to that miracle every dawn” (89).