Disir
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- Sep 30, 2011
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People are always looking for a new devotion as a way of acquiring something for themselves.”
This is the reflection of Bishop Emeritus Michael Pfeifer of San Angelo, Texas, illustrating a danger spoken about in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, that of focusing prayer on the gifts rather than the Giver.
But the bishop’s warning is particularly dire because it was made in reference to a fast-growing Satanic cult disguised in the terminology of Catholic devotion. It’s the cult of “Santa Muerte,” St. (holy) Death, and it promises devotees all kinds of things.
“People turn to this devotion for worldly help, for money, material benefits — even to commit crimes and to keep them from being caught for their terrible deeds. So it’s really a devotion to Satan to gain material favors: money, prestige, power,” explained Bishop Pfeifer, who has spent years speaking out against the growing phenomenon.
The history of this cult is rather uncertain. Many say it’s been around for centuries, attributing it to ancient Aztec worship of the god of death. But what is clear is that, in the second half of the 20th century and now in the 21st, the cult has gained many followers in Mexico and spread northward to the United States.
In an analysis of the cult written by Father Jorge Luis Zarazúa Campa, in an essay from 2015, rituals to Santa Muerte involve authentic Catholic devotions mixed with prayers to the scythe-wielding skeletal female representation of death.
Ceremonies in honor of Santa Muerte “resemble Catholic rituals in many respects. … Prayer groups, directed by a leader — generally the owner of the altar of the principal statue — organize rosaries in homes or stores, overflowing sometimes onto the street, in which they pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary and numerous Catholic prayers,” he wrote.
But at the same time, these devotees address Santa Muerte “as if addressing a loved one or a close relative, with a relationship similar to that which is cultivated with the Virgin of Guadalupe, Christ, St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Anthony of Padua, or others from the Catholic canon of saints,” Father Zarazúa continued. “Contrary to what would be expected, Santa Muerte does not make them afraid, as it does those outside the cult.”
Beware of the Cult of Santa Muerte
It's not going anywhere.
This is the reflection of Bishop Emeritus Michael Pfeifer of San Angelo, Texas, illustrating a danger spoken about in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, that of focusing prayer on the gifts rather than the Giver.
But the bishop’s warning is particularly dire because it was made in reference to a fast-growing Satanic cult disguised in the terminology of Catholic devotion. It’s the cult of “Santa Muerte,” St. (holy) Death, and it promises devotees all kinds of things.
“People turn to this devotion for worldly help, for money, material benefits — even to commit crimes and to keep them from being caught for their terrible deeds. So it’s really a devotion to Satan to gain material favors: money, prestige, power,” explained Bishop Pfeifer, who has spent years speaking out against the growing phenomenon.
The history of this cult is rather uncertain. Many say it’s been around for centuries, attributing it to ancient Aztec worship of the god of death. But what is clear is that, in the second half of the 20th century and now in the 21st, the cult has gained many followers in Mexico and spread northward to the United States.
In an analysis of the cult written by Father Jorge Luis Zarazúa Campa, in an essay from 2015, rituals to Santa Muerte involve authentic Catholic devotions mixed with prayers to the scythe-wielding skeletal female representation of death.
Ceremonies in honor of Santa Muerte “resemble Catholic rituals in many respects. … Prayer groups, directed by a leader — generally the owner of the altar of the principal statue — organize rosaries in homes or stores, overflowing sometimes onto the street, in which they pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary and numerous Catholic prayers,” he wrote.
But at the same time, these devotees address Santa Muerte “as if addressing a loved one or a close relative, with a relationship similar to that which is cultivated with the Virgin of Guadalupe, Christ, St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Anthony of Padua, or others from the Catholic canon of saints,” Father Zarazúa continued. “Contrary to what would be expected, Santa Muerte does not make them afraid, as it does those outside the cult.”
Beware of the Cult of Santa Muerte
It's not going anywhere.
