Santa Muerte (Holy Death) worship in Los Angeles looking somewhat different than in Mexico
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In Mexico, the non-Catholic saint-like figure known as Santa Muerte, or Holy Death, has been worshipped for many years, often clandestinely. Santa Muerte grew especially popular among the poor and criminal classes. Some people call the figure a Mexican folk saint associated with narcotics trafficking. In fact, Mexican government and church officials have been less than enthusiastic in recent years about worshippers who include prison inmates, drug dealers and prostitutes. But in the Los Angeles area, Jill Leovy writes in today’s Los Angeles Times, followers tend to rely on Santa Muerte to help cleanse their spirits or maybe garner a little extra good luck. Read Leovy’s report ‘Santa Muerte in L.A.: A gentler vision of ‘Holy Death.’ ‘