An Unusual New Religious Trend Emerging in Mexico

According to Saednews, Mexico is the world’s second-largest Catholic country after Brazil in terms of population. About 111 million people in the country identify as Catholic. However, in recent decades, a rather unusual trend has emerged among many Mexican Catholics: the veneration of figures who are not recognized as saints by the official Catholic Church, often referred to as “crime saints.”

A recent report published by Axios noted that devotion to these “crime saints” has been increasing significantly in Mexico and has even spread to places like New Orleans in the United States. Today, many shops in Mexico sell clothing, candles, and statues dedicated to these figures. In various cities, small informal shrines have been established where people kneel before their statues to ask for healing, wealth, and protection.

A New and Unusual Religious Trend in Mexico

In areas with high levels of poverty and crime, devotion to these figures is more widespread. Supporters often see them as protectors of the poor. However, many of their followers are believed to include criminals, drug traffickers, and marginalized groups who feel excluded from the official church.

Who Are These “Crime Saints”?

One of the most well-known figures is a skeletal female figure known as Santa Muerte, which translates roughly to “Holy Death.” The origins of this figure are thought to be linked to ancient pre-Christian folk beliefs. Followers believe Santa Muerte can help them find love, secure employment, and even take revenge on enemies. Drug cartels and marginalized communities, including some LGBTQ+ groups, are among her most prominent followers.

Another figure is Jesús Malverde, sometimes called the “angel of the poor.” He is especially popular among members of the Sinaloa drug cartel. Some believe he was a real historical outlaw, while others doubt his existence. His supporters portray him as a kind of Mexican Robin Hood who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. A Netflix series about Malverde reportedly contributed to growing interest in his cult-like following.

A third figure differs from the others: Saint Joseph (San José), an officially recognized Catholic saint and one of the biblical figures associated with Jesus Christ. However, some criminal groups in Colombia and Mexico have adopted him as a patron figure, a controversial appropriation that reflects the complex religious landscape in parts of Latin America.

Social Conditions Behind the Phenomenon

The phenomenon of “crime saints” reflects deeper social issues. The long-standing influence of drug cartels in Mexico has also affected religious beliefs. Poverty, insecurity, and high crime rates have pushed many people toward alternative forms of spirituality, seeking protection and hope in figures outside the official church tradition.

At the same time, critics point to corruption and alleged connections between some religious authorities and powerful groups as factors that have contributed to the rise of these unconventional devotional practices.