Professor´s book on folk saints explores little-known aspects of folk religion

“Frank Graziano, an expert on Latin American religion, has written the first book in any language that provides an overview and comparative study of Hispanic folk saints. The book, “Cultures of Devotion,” is being released this month by Oxford University Press. It offers in-depth studies and photographs of the beliefs, rituals, and devotions surrounding six representative folk saints from Argentina, Mexico and Peru, with additional discussion of some hundred other folk saints from throughout Latin America and the Spanish-speaking United States. The featured folk saints include Difunta Correa, at whose shrines devotees offer bottles of water and used auto parts in commemoration of her tragic death on the Argentine desert, and Gaucho Gil, whose narrative involves political injustice and Robin-Hood crimes on behalf of an exploited people. The widespread cult of the Mexican folk saint Niño Fidencio-who is also featured in the book-is based on faith healing performed by devotees who channel his powers. Also featured are Sarita Colonia and Niño Compadrito from Peru, and San La Muerte from Argentina.”

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