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Who is Santa Muerte, and how do you pray to a saint who’s not really a saint? Nuestra Señora de la Santa Muerte (Our Lady of the Holy Death)—Santa Muerte or the Bony Lady for short—has been growing in popularity over the past few decades, as have prayers and rituals dedicated to her. For the spiritually curious, we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know to effectively pray to Santa Muerte, including how to create an altar to aid with rituals and strengthen your spiritual connection to her. Keep scrolling to discover how to include the power of Santa Muerte in your life.
Steps
Praying for Santa Muerte’s Help
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1Begin your worship session with a short prayer to God. Santa Muerte’s followers believe she works under the leadership of God, which is why you must pray to Him first.[9] Appropriate prayers to invoke Santa Muerte include:[10]
- Our Father: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
- Hail Mary: Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
- Gloria Patri: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.
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2Ask God for permission to pray to Santa Muerte. Traditionally, you must ask God to allow you to work with Santa Muerte to ensure your request is good natured and honest. Afterward, you can address Santa Muerte directly to petition for her guidance. Use the following prayer to ask for God’s permission and to invoke Santa Muerte herself:[11]
- Almighty God, before your Divine Presence, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I ask permission to invoke the Santisima Muerte. Holy and Miraculous Mother, at this time I beg for your presence and intervention. Through the great power, which God has given you, I beg of you to hear my prayers and grant me all the favors I ask of you until the last day, hour, and moment when the Divine Majesty shall call me before his presence.
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3Make your request to Santa Muerte. Openly describe your predicament or ailment and ask for her assistance or guidance. If you’re offering something in exchange, tell her what you’re willing to give—just make sure it’s a promise you can keep. After you state your petition, finish with the following prayer plus 3 repetitions of the Our Father prayer:[12]
- Santisima Muerte, beloved of my heart, do not abandon me without your protection. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
References
- ↑ https://dying.lovetoknow.com/death-cultures-around-world/santa-muerte-facts-practices-behind-saint-death
- ↑ https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/34832/have-you-heard-of-saint-death-dont-pray-to-her
- ↑ https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/mexico/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-santa-muerte/
- ↑ https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/34832/have-you-heard-of-saint-death-dont-pray-to-her
- ↑ https://dying.lovetoknow.com/death-cultures-around-world/santa-muerte-facts-practices-behind-saint-death
- ↑ https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/mexico/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-santa-muerte/
- ↑ https://dying.lovetoknow.com/death-cultures-around-world/santa-muerte-facts-practices-behind-saint-death
- ↑ https://dying.lovetoknow.com/death-cultures-around-world/santa-muerte-facts-practices-behind-saint-death
- ↑ https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/mexico/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-santa-muerte/
- ↑ https://www.serpentinespiritualarts.com/uploads/b/06ffe690-caa6-11e9-9f7d-79fd14e2f98b/Santa%20Muerte%20Prayers%20(5).pdf
- ↑ https://www.serpentinespiritualarts.com/uploads/b/06ffe690-caa6-11e9-9f7d-79fd14e2f98b/Santa%20Muerte%20Prayers%20(5).pdf
- ↑ https://www.serpentinespiritualarts.com/uploads/b/06ffe690-caa6-11e9-9f7d-79fd14e2f98b/Santa%20Muerte%20Prayers%20(5).pdf
- ↑ https://www.serpentinespiritualarts.com/uploads/b/06ffe690-caa6-11e9-9f7d-79fd14e2f98b/Santa%20Muerte%20Prayers%20(5).pdf
- ↑ https://www.serpentinespiritualarts.com/uploads/b/06ffe690-caa6-11e9-9f7d-79fd14e2f98b/Santa%20Muerte%20Prayers%20(5).pdf
- ↑ https://www.serpentinespiritualarts.com/uploads/b/06ffe690-caa6-11e9-9f7d-79fd14e2f98b/Santa%20Muerte%20Prayers%20(5).pdf
- ↑ https://www.bookculture.com/book/9781578637720 ; https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/mexico/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-santa-muerte/
- ↑ https://dying.lovetoknow.com/death-cultures-around-world/santa-muerte-facts-practices-behind-saint-death
- ↑ https://magickalspot.com/how-does-santa-muerte-work/#Working_with_the_Santa_Muerte
- ↑ https://magickalspot.com/how-does-santa-muerte-work/#Working_with_the_Santa_Muerte
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7485595/
- ↑ https://dying.lovetoknow.com/death-cultures-around-world/santa-muerte-facts-practices-behind-saint-death