The Santa Muerte shrine in the tiny Michoacan town of Santa Ana Chapitiro is one of the most impressive in Mexico. Built by a devotee from Mexico City, it contains exclusively handcrafted images of the skeleton saint. Devotees come from all over Mexico and the United States to leave offerings of thanksgiving and also to … Continue reading Santa Muerte Shrine in Michoacan
Santa Muerte in the Philippines
With new evidence from the Philippines, the Spanish origins of Santa Muerte are clearer than ever. Filipino photographer Estan Cabigas details the effigies of the Bony Lady that date back at least to the 1850s in the former Spanish colony. http://langyaw.com/2011/04/21/strange-santa-muerte-in-the-philippines/ The skeleton saint’s role in Filipino Holy Week processions appears very similar … Continue reading Santa Muerte in the Philippines
Devotees of Saint Death March for Life in Juarez, Mexico
With banners proclaiming “sons and daughters of Santa Muerte for peace in Juarez” some two to three hundred devotees of Saint Death organized a peace march in a city so violent that it recently earned the moniker “Baghdad on the Border.” Departing from one of the border city’s main Santa Muerte shrines, the marchers processed … Continue reading Devotees of Saint Death March for Life in Juarez, Mexico
Let The Earth Tremble! Top Santa Muerte Leader Seeks to Cleanse the Cult
In response to recent acts of aggression from religious rivals, Mexico’s top Santa Muerte temple head, Enriqueta Vargas of Tultitlan, spoke exclusively to Skeleton Saint about her role in the cult of Saint Death and her intention “to cleanse” the cult of what she regards as profiteers and charlatans....Let me make it very clear that … Continue reading Let The Earth Tremble! Top Santa Muerte Leader Seeks to Cleanse the Cult
Tiembla Tierra! Lideresa de la Santa Muerte Promete Limpiar el Culto
Respondiendo a recientes agresiones de parte de ciertos rivales religiosos, la lideresa maxima de los templos de la Santa Muerte en Mexico, Enriqueta Vargas de Tultitlan, hablo en exclusivo con Skeleton Saint sobre su papel en el culto y su propuesta de limpiarlo de lo que ella ve como mercaderes y charlatanes. VOY A DEJAR … Continue reading Tiembla Tierra! Lideresa de la Santa Muerte Promete Limpiar el Culto
Top Santa Muerte Leader Protests Latest Shrine Attack in Mexico
While the targeted destruction of Santa Muerte shrines and altars has been going on for several years in Mexico, over the past few months it's increased throughout the country. Most of the shrines leveled had been erected on public property, but the latest case of iconoclasm occurred on private grounds in Los Mochis, Sinaloa. According … Continue reading Top Santa Muerte Leader Protests Latest Shrine Attack in Mexico
Sister Death and Brother Francis at Holy Week in Chimayo, New Mexico
Santa Muerte’s origins in the U.S. date much further back than her recent influx with Mexican immigrants over the past decade. During the 19th century in the mountain towns of New Mexico and southern Colorado, Mexican-American Catholics personified death as a female figure known as Doña Sebastiana, a moniker still heard today for Santa Muerte. … Continue reading Sister Death and Brother Francis at Holy Week in Chimayo, New Mexico
More from Matamoros – Bishop issues call for tolerance of Santa Muertistas
In another surprising turn in the recent municipal attacks on Santa Muerte shrines in Matamoros, Ruy Rendon Leal, bishop of the Diocese of Matamoros, is calling for tolerance and open dialogue between the Catholic church and followers of Santa Muerte. He is saying that in these trying times 'Good Samaritans' and mutual help are more … Continue reading More from Matamoros – Bishop issues call for tolerance of Santa Muertistas
Dr. R. Andrew Chesnut featured on Expanding Mind
Hosts Erik Davis and Maja D'Aoust recently invited Andrew Chesnut to discuss the rising growth of Santa Muerte's devotional tradition on the Expanding Minds podcast. The wide ranging discussion covers the tradition in depth and touches on a number of interesting points: From the show's synopsis: "The cult of death, narco spirituality, and Mexico’s increasingly … Continue reading Dr. R. Andrew Chesnut featured on Expanding Mind
“Enrevista con el escritor, Andrew Chesnut” in Senales de Humo, UDG Radio
Entrevista radiofónica con Andrew Chesnut en Santa Muerte en el programa llamado "Señales de Humo", transmitido por Radio Universidad de Guadalajara. Haga clic aquí para escuchar la entrevista.
Most Holy Death 