When I began my research on Santa Muerte in 2009 it didn't occur to me at first to look for devotees in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia. The Latinx population is less than 10% and most are Central American immigrants, not Mexicans. After finding the Skeleton Saint easily in nearby Washington, DC, I decided to … Continue reading Santa Muerte – The Mother Who Heals
La Pieta – The Compassion of Most Holy Death
Mercy, pity, and compassion are not words that you will see outsiders associating with Santa Muerte, the skeletal saint whose tradition is currently one of the fastest growing religious movements in the Americas and around the globe. Yet, La Pieta, 'The Mercy,' Michelangelo's masterpiece depicting Mary cradling the peaceful body of Christ after the Crucifixion, … Continue reading La Pieta – The Compassion of Most Holy Death