Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Folk saints are deceased people or other spiritually powerful entities (such as
Indigenous and African spirits) venerated as saints, even if they’re not officially
canonized by the Church.
This map uses a more expanded definition, which does include some canonized
saints with major popular admiration in the continent.
Gauchito Gil is a folk religious figure in Argentina’s popular culture. One can spot
small shrines of Gauchito Gil on roadsides throughout Argentina due to the red
color and the flags, many of which read “Gracias, Gauchito Gil” if the person’s
request is fulfilled.
Escrava Anastacia is a popular saint venerated in Brazil. A Black slave woman,
Anastacia is depicted as beautiful, having piercing eyes and wearing an oppressive
facemask. Anastacia is a very important figure in Folk Catholic and Umbanda
devotion, especially with Black Brazilians
Maximón, also called San Simón, is a Mayan deity and folk saint represented in
various forms by the Maya people of several towns in the highlands of Western
Guatemala. Oral tradition of his in these communities is complex, diverse, and born
of the Maya traditions centuries ago.
El Niño Fidencio was a Mexican curandero. Fidencio was famous for operations
without anaesthesia without causing pain to patients, and provided cures related to
specific parts of town, such as a pepper tree which the congregation threw offerings
around. He is now seen as a saint.
In Puerto Rico, Dia de Los Tres Reyes Magos, or Three Kings’ Day is an
important holiday. On the day before the feast (January 5), the “Rosario de Reyes”
or “Promesa de Reyes” is traditionally celebrated with songs (aguinaldos) promised
to be sung to the Kings.
Jesús Malverde, known as the “angel of the poor”, or the “narco-saint”, is a folklore
hero in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. He is a “Robin Hood figure” who was
supposed to have stolen from the rich to give to the poor. He is celebrated as a folk
saint, particularly among narcos.
Mariana of Jesus de Paredes is a Catholic saint and was the first person to be
canonized from what is now Ecuador. She was a recluse who is said to have
sacrificed herself for the salvation of her city. She remains very popular with many
of the people of Ecuador.
Miriam Alejandra Bianchi, known by her stage name Gilda, was an Argentinian
cumbia singer and songwriter. On 7 September 1996 Gilda died in a tragic bus
accident, and shortly after her death, Gilda was credited by her fans with achieving
miracles and many even called her a saint.
Sarita Colonia, or La Sarita, was a young Peruvian woman who was credited with
the ability to make miracles. After her death, a popular veneration for her began,
due to her reputation of holiness. She is not recognized by the Church, but is
popular, especially with the poor.
El Tío, is believed in Cerro Rico, Potosí, Bolivia to be the “Lord of the Underworld”.
There are many statues of this spirit in the mines of Cerro Rico. He rules over the
mines, simultaneously offering protection and destruction. Miners bring offerings
such as cigarettes…
…Every year, the Carnaval de Oruro is held, and costumes and statues of El Tío
are paraded around in a ceremony that represents his defeat at the hands of the
Archangel Michael. This is the only time that images of El Tío are allowed above
the surface of the mines.