Up the hill at the diminutive Santa Muerte chapel what most caught my eye was the unusual depiction of the Skeleton Saint. Its fleshy, mummy-like face is very similar to two other of the oldest images of the Mexican saint of death, the effigy of Tepatepec, Hidalgo, which was created as a likeness of Saint Bernard Clarivaux, and Doña Sebastiana of New Mexico and Colorado.
Eintracht Frankfurt Football Fans Invoke GuadaMuerte to Win the Europa League Championship
Why then did Frankfurt football fans employ a GuadaMuerte tifo for their championship game on May 18? After some two decades of going public in 2001 Santa Muerte claims thousands of European followers.
Unholy Death – Catholic Condemnation of Santa Muerte
According to the Roman Catholic Church, Santa Muerte and the Catholic faith are two distinct beliefs and practices, or one follows the Mexican folk saint of death, or one follows the church. The pope, bishops and priests have stated this already frequently for years now.
Why Would a Belgian Follow Mexican Folk Saint Santa Muerte?
By Guest Contributor Walter M. C. Walgraeve* Devotion to Santa Muerte has been spreading like wildfire across Latin America and parts of North America so it’s not surprising that it also has made the leap over the ocean and has reached Europe. While probably most devotees here will be of Latin American descent, it is … Continue reading Why Would a Belgian Follow Mexican Folk Saint Santa Muerte?
Born Again in Matamoros – Santa Muerte shrines reappear after destruction
When reports emerged that Leticia Salazar Vazquez, Mayor of Matamoros, a town on the border of the United States and Mexico, had ordered military action against a shrine dedicated to Santa Muerte it seemed to be a continuation of the aggressive stance the Catholic church has taken toward the burgeoning devotional tradition in Mexico. Coming … Continue reading Born Again in Matamoros – Santa Muerte shrines reappear after destruction
Most Holy Death 