Photos: Praying to Santa Muerte, Mexico’s deity of death

Updated On Aug 07, 2018 01:44 pm IST

Despite a reputation as a narco cult that’s popular among criminals, delinquents and drug traffickers, the Santa Muerte religious movement has surged in popularity in Mexico and larger parts of the Americas over recent decades. Followers of Santa Muerte or Saint Death say her appeal lies in her non-judgemental nature and her supposed ability to grant wishes in return for pledges or offerings. Most of her followers in Mexico consider themselves Catholic, and although the Vatican has characterized the devotion as an infernal cult, she grows popular especially among those who find themselves shunned elsewhere.

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Devotees pray in front of the looming figure of Saint Death during a celebration at a sanctuary in Santa Maria Cuautepec, Tultitlan, Mexico. Every month, thousands of devotees flock to Santa Muerte or Saint Death’s altar, with petitions and offerings of flowers, cigarettes, tequila or even drugs like cocaine vying her favour. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

Updated on Aug 07, 2018 01:44 pm IST

Devotees pray in front of the looming figure of Saint Death during a celebration at a sanctuary in Santa Maria Cuautepec, Tultitlan, Mexico. Every month, thousands of devotees flock to Santa Muerte or Saint Death’s altar, with petitions and offerings of flowers, cigarettes, tequila or even drugs like cocaine vying her favour. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

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An estimated 10-12 million devotees across the Americas, and particularly in culturally Catholic Mexico, make the Santa Muerte movement the fastest-growing of its kind in the region, according to Andrew Chesnut, chair of Catholic studies at Virginia Commonwealth University and the author of Devoted to Death: Santa Muerte, the Skeleton Saint. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

Updated on Aug 07, 2018 01:44 pm IST

An estimated 10-12 million devotees across the Americas, and particularly in culturally Catholic Mexico, make the Santa Muerte movement the fastest-growing of its kind in the region, according to Andrew Chesnut, chair of Catholic studies at Virginia Commonwealth University and the author of Devoted to Death: Santa Muerte, the Skeleton Saint. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

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The Santa Muerte figure finds references in Mexican culture dating into Spanish colonial times, when Catholic colonizers on evangelical missions, brought over female Grim Reaper figures representing death. Similarities in existing Aztec and Mayan traditions smoothed over the process of co-opting this female skeletal figure as a religious icon. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

Updated on Aug 07, 2018 01:44 pm IST

The Santa Muerte figure finds references in Mexican culture dating into Spanish colonial times, when Catholic colonizers on evangelical missions, brought over female Grim Reaper figures representing death. Similarities in existing Aztec and Mayan traditions smoothed over the process of co-opting this female skeletal figure as a religious icon. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

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Santa Muerte even finds mention in Inquisition records. Despite existing as a miracle worker in Mexican culture, Santa Muerte is not a recognized saint by the Roman Catholic Church. In 2013, a Vatican official equated prayer to her as the celebration of devastation and of hell, and an infernal cult. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

Updated on Aug 07, 2018 01:44 pm IST

Santa Muerte even finds mention in Inquisition records. Despite existing as a miracle worker in Mexican culture, Santa Muerte is not a recognized saint by the Roman Catholic Church. In 2013, a Vatican official equated prayer to her as the celebration of devastation and of hell, and an infernal cult. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

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A man shows his Santa Muerte tattoos. Despite her condemnation Santa Muerte remains popular among gang members, narco-traders and those otherwise on the fringe of society. Part of the attraction is that she is seen as a non-judgemental saint who can be invoked for petitions that may land in religiously grey areas. For most, Santa Muerte plays both sides. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

Updated on Aug 07, 2018 01:44 pm IST

A man shows his Santa Muerte tattoos. Despite her condemnation Santa Muerte remains popular among gang members, narco-traders and those otherwise on the fringe of society. Part of the attraction is that she is seen as a non-judgemental saint who can be invoked for petitions that may land in religiously grey areas. For most, Santa Muerte plays both sides. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

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The increasing rise of a religious figure that isn’t afraid to play dirty and recognises the darker elements of life also reflects the fact that Mexican Catholics are surrounded in their daily lives by death and the country’s drug wars which have claimed upwards of 60,000 to 120,000 lives. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

Updated on Aug 07, 2018 01:44 pm IST

The increasing rise of a religious figure that isn’t afraid to play dirty and recognises the darker elements of life also reflects the fact that Mexican Catholics are surrounded in their daily lives by death and the country’s drug wars which have claimed upwards of 60,000 to 120,000 lives. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

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A woman carries a Saint Death figure to a monthly celebration. Of her millions of devotees, the vast majority are law-abiding citizens from all walks of life. But the discovery of Santa Muerte imagery during raids in the homes of drug traffickers has led to the popularisation of Santa Muerte portrayed as a narco-cult. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

Updated on Aug 07, 2018 01:44 pm IST

A woman carries a Saint Death figure to a monthly celebration. Of her millions of devotees, the vast majority are law-abiding citizens from all walks of life. But the discovery of Santa Muerte imagery during raids in the homes of drug traffickers has led to the popularisation of Santa Muerte portrayed as a narco-cult. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

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Many practices of worship centred on the saint – prayers, rosaries and candles –are reminiscent of mainstream Catholic tradition. Santa Muerte herself resembles in her pose and appearance, albeit stripped of skin, the Virgin of Guadalupe. This and her open stance towards those shunned by other Churches on the basis of sexuality, denomination, race or other markers only makes turning to here easier for potentials. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

Updated on Aug 07, 2018 01:44 pm IST

Many practices of worship centred on the saint – prayers, rosaries and candles –are reminiscent of mainstream Catholic tradition. Santa Muerte herself resembles in her pose and appearance, albeit stripped of skin, the Virgin of Guadalupe. This and her open stance towards those shunned by other Churches on the basis of sexuality, denomination, race or other markers only makes turning to here easier for potentials. (Pedro Pardo / AFP)

News / Photos / News / Photos: Praying to Santa Muerte, Mexico’s deity of death

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