Each year, the Church gives us a kind of “Holy Triduum of the Faithfully Departed.” Along with All Hallows Eve (Halloween) and All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day gives us the opportunity to remember the souls who have gone before us, and for those who haven’t yet made it to heaven, we can offer our prayers that the purification they are receiving in Purgatory be accomplished swiftly. Each priest is encouraged to pray extra Masses for the faithfully departed on this feast and in addition to the white or violet vestments, they also have the option to wear the rarely seen black vestments. It is a day of prayer, but ultimately a day of charity, as we do what we can, through our prayer, to help our loved ones enter into the glory of paradise and the intimacy of the Divine embrace. Take time this year to pray for your deceased family members, go to Mass if you can, set out old pictures as a reminder to pray for them throughout the entire month of November which is dedicated to praying for the dead. 

Speaking of death, you may have seen an image of a skeleton dressed as a woman, sometimes carrying a scythe, or dressed in colorful garb. That skeleton is Santa Muerte, or Saint Death/Holy Death. Be very clear on this point, however: Santa Muerte is not a saint and is certainly not holy. It also has nothing to do with the authentic Mexican Catholic Dia de Los Muertos.

The image is pagan and demonic in origin. It specifically mocks God, and at times is presented as a mockery of Our Lady when she is made to appear like the image of Guadalupe or the Pietà. She is seen as the “understanding” and “non-judgmental” benefactor who will grant petitions that are less than holy such as praying to not get caught by the authorities when doing something illegal, or for vengeance against one’s enemies. 

The modern Santa Muerte is entangled in the drug culture of the cartels but is also promoted in the United States by those who practice paganism, Wicca, and the occult. As mentioned earlier, the Santa Muerte movement borrows sacred images for mockery, placing a skull where Mary’s face would be. It also adopts Catholic practices such as burning candles (which you can now buy in major grocery stores), Santa Muerte “rosaries,” and even “holy” oils. 

Make no mistake, however. Santa Muerte is a demon with a different name. Vatican-trained exorcists have witnessed individuals who have used this practice find themselves tied to a demon or even a group of demons. She mocks Catholicism and twists the meaning of saints as witnesses to God, of prayer, and of seeking a saint’s intercession or favor from God. 

The movement around this image is growing as well. At the turn of the century, it was relatively unknown in the United States, however, there is ever growing interest in this image. I’ve seen it myself as a bumper sticker on the back of trucks. There are articles on trendy websites explaining the image and giving it a glossy veneer focusing on what the symbolism of the colors mean and that Santa Muerte promises prosperity, love, success, etc. Sites like Etsy are brimming over with all manner of Santa Muerte bracelets, medals, rosaries, statues, decals, jewelry, etc. There are also bricks-and-mortar stores selling these accouterments, including Catholic artifacts, which we would do well to avoid.

However, the devil is not creative. All he can do is twist and corrupt what God has done and then offer it to us disguised as something good. I mention all these details about Santa Muerte, not to frighten or obsess over the works of a demon, but rather to make you aware of and ultimately to highlight the glory of God. 

All the devil can deliver is death. God gives LIFE! He is not the God of the dead but the God of the living. To die in the Lord is to live forever. There is knowledge, joy, love, peace, and kindness in waiting for those who entrust themselves to the Lord and die in his grace. It is that truth that we celebrate during the month of November. It is for that promise that we pray for the faithfully departed. It is why we end this month with the celebration of the great solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. We have so much more to look forward to than death. What awaits us is an eternity of life in the glory of his kingdom. We will accept no substitutes!