092423ChacalaSayulitaMexicoTripMP0851

SHOT 9/17/23 3:48:07 PM - A highly ornate Santa Muerte capilla in the Agua Azul neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The image of Santa Muerte can be found all over Mexico and devotees have have made it one of the fastest growing of religious offshoots. Just as with other saints in folk Catholicism, devotees of Santa Muerte pray with rosaries, go on pilgrimages, and place offerings like apples, cigars, alcohol and candles on her altars. The cult also uses magical ritual derived from indigenous practices, as well as elements of Spiritualism, Santería, western medicine, and New Age ideas about spiritual energy. While faith in Santa Muerte can be found in the fringes appealing to the Mexican organized crime world as well as sex workers and the LGBTQ communities. Capillas, small roadside cathedrals, are common along the streets and highways of Mexico which is heavily Catholic and are often dedicated to certain patron saints or to the memory of a loved one that has passed away. Often times they contain prayer candles, pictures, personal artifacts or notes. (Photo by Marc Piscotty / © 2023)

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Filename: 092423ChacalaSayulitaMexicoTripMP0014.jpg
Copyright: © 2023 Marc Piscotty
Image Size: 7728x5376 / 10.8MB; Mexico Jalisco Puerto Vallarta narco culture colorful roadside altar
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SHOT 9/17/23 3:48:07 PM - A highly ornate Santa Muerte capilla in the Agua Azul neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The image of Santa Muerte can be found all over Mexico and devotees have have made it one of the fastest growing of religious offshoots. Just as with other saints in folk Catholicism, devotees of Santa Muerte pray with rosaries, go on pilgrimages, and place offerings like apples, cigars, alcohol and candles on her altars. The cult also uses magical ritual derived from indigenous practices, as well as elements of Spiritualism, Santería, western medicine, and New Age ideas about spiritual energy. While faith in Santa Muerte can be found in the fringes appealing to the Mexican organized crime world as well as sex workers and the LGBTQ communities. Capillas, small roadside cathedrals, are common along the streets and highways of Mexico which is heavily Catholic and are often dedicated to certain patron saints or to the memory of a loved one that has passed away. Often times they contain prayer candles, pictures, personal artifacts or notes. (Photo by Marc Piscotty / © 2023)