Thursday, September 9, 2010

Renewed faith of sorts

Trying times in Mexico have pushed many locals to embrace new outlets for their faith. For instance, praying to St. Jude (the patron saint of lost causes) has become extremely popular throughout the predominately Catholic nation.

However many of turned away from the church, and instead towards new religious movements, which often blend Western and Pre-Colombian beliefs. La Santa Muerte, the holy death, is but one example. Amongst narcos she is extremely popular, and is developing quite a following. What started as a small cult movement in small towns along the Gulf has escalated into a large movement with followers throughout Mexico and the U.S. Little is really known about the religion, save for the concept that the followers must show their unfaltering loyalty to La Santa Muerte, or else suffer dire consequences. In an article by National Geographic, it is stated that her followers must appease her with tokens or symbols of their faith, and if they deliver, she will protect them from harm, even when others have shunned them due to their sins. Her followers (many of which are prisoners, narcos, and other criminals) show their faith by carrying her mark of protection in the form of a special tattoo or pennant.

Also, many in Sinaloa have elevated a robin hood like character to saintly proportions. As the story goes, Jesus Malverde was a supposed thief who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor during the 18th century in current day Sinaloa. Unfortunately, despite his noble intentions, he was eventually caught and hung by the authorities.

His religious following began with a man named Eligio Gonzalez.  In the 1970's, Eligio was working as a street vendor. One night he was stabbed and shot during a robbery, and was left for dead. As he lay in the street bleeding to death, Eligio prayed to Malverde to save him, and in return, he would build him a proper shrine so others could worship him. Eligio lived, and he kept his promise.

Now, Malverede is seen as a narco-saint, and many supposed narcotraficantes have made pilgrimages to his shrine. Even the infamous El Chapo has supposedly paid homage to Malverde. Unfortunly, there is no actual proof that Malverede (much like the famed Robin Hood) even existed.

Over 28,000 people have died due to the Drug Conflict, and with death becoming such an integral part of daily life for many Mexicans, it is easy to comprehend why so many have begun seeking spiritual guidance outside of the Church. What is remarkable though, is that these faiths our truly unique, as they blend pre-Colombian practices and Catholic beliefs into one loosely organized religion.