Source: http://huandacareo.org/blog/?p=566
The photo on this blog is that of EL CRISTO - NUESTRO SENOR DEL AMPARO. The web address, cited as the source for my posting, will lead you to a wonderful blog that relates that in 1551, an Agustinian friar named Francisco de Villafuerte, had laid the foundation stone for the convent at Cuitzeo but was distressed at the condition of the indians at Huandacareo--because of their rampant idolatry and their suffering at the hands of their cruel conquerors. He called a meeting at Huandacareo. Under the shade of an big old cypress, he placed the cross, while inviting the indians to come and bring their idols. He then "relied on the Lord to prove his power." A miraculous event took place. There was an earthquake and the earth opened up to swollow all the idols while the bald cypress branches bent toward the image of the Christ (titled: Nuestro Senor del Amparo). Two months later, the Purepecha/Tarascan indians received baptism. The following year, the friar oversaw the construction of a small chapel where he placed the image of the Christ--Nuestro Senor del Amparo.
The blog also notes the origin of the cross as being a sculpture from the school of Seville.
Translation: http://www.angelinasalasgonzales.blogspot.com/
El Cristo - Nuestro Sr. del Amparo is revered in Huandacareo as its savior. This site attempts to collect the history and document the countless miracles attributed to Nuestro Sr. del Amparo for the sake of posterity. Its origins as a sculptured crucifix date 1550, School of Seville. It played a major role in conversions in Huandacareo in 1551 and again in its victorious defense against mauraders seeking to sack Huandacareo in the violence that took place in Mexico from 1910-1919.
See also: Cristo del Amparo and Hermandad de Penitencia Santisima Cristo del Amparo, an order founded in Spain 1956. This particular Christ has been revered since the 1200s in Spain.
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