Write a comment
Cross of Chalpon - Cruz de Chalpon

Cross of Chalpon - Cruz de Chalpon

Large Pilgrimage Festival

05 August

Each year around August 5, the citizens of Motupe, a small town about 80 km (50 miles) north of Chiclayo in the Lambayeque region, and worshippers from across the country pay homage to the Cross of Chalpon with a large pilgrimage festival.

The tradition started in the mid-19th century, when Padre Juan, a hermit Franciscan priest also known as Padre Abad, appeared in the Motupe area and lived a secluded life in the mountains nearby dedicated to praying and worshipping God and mother nature. He only came to town once a week to celebrate the mass with the citizens and baptize children.

After he disappeared one day, people learned he had built somewhere in the mountains a wooden cross that would protect the town. A search for it was unsuccessful.

Years later the citizens of Motupe received the message of Padre Juan's deaths and shortly afterwards a huge flood was predicted, leaving the citizens frightened. Remembering Padre Juan and his cross, the citizens once more set out in search of it, hoping it will bring them protection.

On August 15, 1868, the cross was finally found in a cave on Mount Chalpon and carried to Motupe, where the locals ecstatically celebrated and worshipped it. The town was, of course, spared from any disaster and the large wooden cross was returned to its original place after some time.

As word got around about the discovery of the cross, some faithful began visiting and praying at its site. Miracles occurred, and over time an ever-increasing number of pilgrims came to the cross. Each year the festivities surrounding the Cross of Chalpon grew larger and the importance of the cross in this northern region of Peru might be compared to the Lord of Miracles in Lima.

Lord of Miracles - Señor de los Milagros

Peruvian Public Holidays & Festivities
October is the purple month in Lima and Limeños pay homage to their most venerated religious figure: El Señor de los Milagros or also known as Cris...

Today each year around August 5, Motupe is visited by thousands of devotees to take part in the pilgrimage festival. Many pilgrims walk barefoot as a sign of their great faith.

The festival last about ten days and includes carrying the cross down the mountain through the smaller villages Zapote and Salitral to Motupe, processions, stands offering dishes typical to the northern regions of Peru and religious objects along the way and in town, masses, praying and blessings, lots of cañazo (a regional cane liquor), dances, music and fireworks and of course a procession to bring the cross back to its cave.

August 5, the principal day of the festivities, starts with a morning mass at the Church of San Julian in Motupe. Afterwards the wooden cross is carried into the church where worshipers can visit it the whole day. In the evening, the cross is carried into the streets for a huge procession that last throughout the night.

Map

Swap Start/End
Say something here...
characters left
or post as a guest
All comments MUST be in English and will be moderated before publishing.
They will appear below within 24 hours.
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.

Be the first to comment.

Peru Newsflash

Peru Event Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
4
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

Latest Content...

Latest Video

Maria Reiche - Memories

Maria Reiche - Memories

Submitted by: Tintin
05 December 2021

Long Reads...

  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The Mystery of the Nazca Lines in Peru

    In the 1920s, when people first flew across southern Peru, they made an astonishing discovery. Stretching below them,…
  • Peruvian Personalities & Founders

    Francisco Pizarro González (1474-1541)

    Francisco Pizarro, a peasant from Spain, was one of the least well-equipped conquerors in history. However, in the name…
  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The colorful Fabrics and Textiles of Peru

    Europe’s first knowledge of Peruvian textiles was acquired following the Spanish invasion of Peru in 1532, when the…
  • Peruvian Legends, Myths & Tales

    The Jeweled Frog and the Condor

    By a quiet pond, at the side of a cloud-topped mountain in Peru, lived a small green frog and his large green family.…
  • Peru Info

    Peruvian Economy

    The Peruvian economy is an emerging, social market economy highly dependent on foreign trade and classified as an upper…