Condemned By The Catholic Church – Saint Death Gathers Devoted Followers

She’s often depicted as the patron saint of murderers and narco-traffickers, and the Catholic Church condemns devotion to her as blasphemy. But Santa Muerte, or Saint Death, is a Mexican folk saint with a growing following across North America, particularly among the marginalized – transsexuals, immigrants, the poor. A community of Santa Muerte devotees in Queens, New York, shows the life inherent in the worship of Saint Death as they prepare for their annual fiesta in her honor.

[waltersanchez]

I don’t worship Santa Muerte. But reading these comments has me shook. Your judgement is what turns these people away from God, and you will answer to it on judgement day. Love one another.

[aimeechapman]

No one found it strange the woman got ill and felt cold during the ritual?

[frankem]

Satan will come to steal, kill and destroy. He is the father of lies.
- Jesus

[Satikal]

Growing up half Filipino in Cebu I always noticed Santa Muerte in processions and in fiestas I always wondered where she originated, my family in the Philippines has a statue of her we’ve had it for decades now I remember her being there ever since I was born, My great grandfather was the one who found the statue in a wooden crate and kept it.

[chamisa]

I see two types of commenters here:  the first sees the love, the wholeness, the kindness, the acceptance, and the joy-- this person and respects this religion for what it is doing for these people and how it encourages just the kinds of behaviors we like to see in American society.  The other turns red, sweats bullets, screams through clenched teeth that they're all going to hell, and calls for them to be burned to death.  I suppose it's no surprise to most people which kind of commenter comes across as more reasonable and intelligent.

[phreakazoith]

This cult appears to be an impressive fusion of Spanish Catholizism, Santeria, mexican folklore. Within a few deacdes it rose like a comet. this is impressive. we can witness a religion in the making. we will see if it lasts.

[mariad]

Thank you for making the position of the Catholic Church clear
Don't let the statues fool you - this has NOTHING to do with Christ or His Church

[crisantita]

Im not scared about Saint Death. But iam fear of God...

[sladetuner]

This is one of the reasons why Mexico 🇲🇽 is a mess

[selenac.]

Why was she fainting? I felt so bad that she got like sick & got cold. Even her son started to cry.

[tradcat]

This is not what our lord intends our church to teach, we are not worship a Satanic statue but our Lord and our Lord only, Death is not a Saint Death is a curse that was put on mankind for disobedience to God and should not be worshiped or venerated

[HenryArreguin]

May the sword of Saint Michael strike down this abomination next.

[mimab]

I would love to see a follow up of Arely Gonzalez - I didn't want this documentary to end!

[michaelgeisenheimer]

I love Santa merte so much I'm so sick of Christians calling her a demon she is beautiful I'm from Australia and I'm going to spend the rest of my life praying to her hail Santa merte amen ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[flipingboredcritic]

Before ppl get all butt hurt over this saint. This Saint is in a sense a fusion between catholism and ancient beliefs (dating to Aztec possibly earlier) of the Mexican ppl. It seems everyone worships her, and not just the poor, the police, criminals, and even artist and politicans. People from all walks of life pray to her. She is even the saint for Gays and Transexuals, and other outcasts. Santa Muerte, touches to good, the bad, and to the most horrible. With all this worship. I suspect everyone has their own way of worshiping the lady. I may not agree with all of them. Like human sacrifices. But I think the lady (Santa Muerte) deserves more studying. Judgement before understanding is foolish.

PS i hope human sacrificing doesnt catch on. Not a fan of that.

[adammitchell]

I love the Mexicans 🇲🇽🇺🇸 they turned me onto La Santa in prison 😂and i been with her ever since ...Hail the Santissima 🌹

[maguyassaf]

So sad that Satan has deceived and blinded their eyes... How Satan must be laughing at them... Only Jesus is the way to ETERNAL LIFE

[borneandayak]

I'm Catholic and this definitely not a Catholic teaching.

[liriosilvestre]

Death asked Life "Why is everyone afraid of Me?"
And Life replied "Because I am filled with lies and You are the reality."

La Muerte le preguntó a la Vida: "¿Por qué todos Me tienen miedo?"
Y la Vida le contestó: "Porque Yo estoy lleno de mentiras y Tú eres la realidad."

[dmitrishostakovich]

I'm born and raised Roman Catholic, but if there exists a religion that can bring comfort to the marginalized and unite people based on that, I respect that.