The Rise of Saint Death
Reuters reports on the ever-growing cult of Santa Muerte (Saint Death) in Mexico. Much of which is triggered by the high death-toll of the drug wars.
“A death cult that venerates a scythe-wielding skeletal figure is booming in Mexican border cities south of Texas where hundreds have died this year in all-out drug war. The centuries-old pagan cult of Santa Muerte, or Saint Death, has sprung back up in Mexico in recent years and claims some 2 million faithful, ranging from elite politicians to kidnappers and gangsters. The revival began in Mexico City. Now, roadside shrines to the ghoulish figure stud highways approaching the U.S. border around the city of Nuevo Laredo, where more than 45 people have been killed in the drug fight so far this year.”
Eduardo Ruben Villegas shows off his amulets outside the shrine to Santa Muerte in Tepito district, Mexico City
This devotion is rooted in Mexico’s pre-Christian past:
“Even after the Spanish conquest brought Catholicism to the region, Mexicans retained a strong pagan devotion to death, as seen by their celebration every November of the Day of the Dead when they erect altars to the dead in their homes and prepare elaborate meals for the departed souls. It is akin to Roman Catholics’ observation on Nov. 2 of All Souls’ Day, when they pray for the souls of the faithful departed.”
This devotion is even starting to eclipse the ever-popular Virgin of Guadalupe.
“We sell more Santa Muerte articles than anything. Everyone is buying them.” – Guadalupe Merida
“I have always prayed to the Virgin, but recently we began going to the Sant?ssima first. She understands us the best.” – Ernesto L?pez, pirate DVD salesman
“She’s my life. She’s everything. Underneath we are all like her. If I went to a Catholic church with my shaved head and tattoos they’d say I was a thief. Here nobody judges you.” – Alberto Avalos
There are even websites devoted to her.
“This site is for all the believers in the LADY as well as for whom they only wish to know a little more on her. Here you will find all the information that there is on SANTA MUERTE. Its history, its cult, the rituals, its orations, the form to consecrate an altar, suscribirte to our gratuitous bulletin or to know other pages serious that speak of her.” (translated poorly from Spanish)
It will be interesting to see what the future of this cult will be. Much of its current popularity is directly linked to the killing and violence along the Mexican border. The cult has also become a haven for criminals who see the Saint as accepting of their life. So who knows what the future of Saint Death will be.
One response so far
“Here nobody judges you.” Interesting. Makes me think of the difference between the Big-Religion god-the-Father gods and the Goddess. Jehovah, Allah, and the boys are busy 24-7 judging people and sorting them out for their Hell. The Goddess, on the other hand, takes all of us back into her womb unconditionally, “without judging.”