Santa Muerte - Places of Veneration

Places of Veneration

Since veneration of this image has been, and to a large extent still is, clandestine, most rituals are done in altars constructed at the homes of devotees. However, slowly, more shrines to this image are appearing in public. The one on Dr. Vertiz Street in Colonia Doctores is unique in Mexico City because it features an image of Jesús Malverde along with Santa Muerte. Another public shrine is in a small park on Matamoros Street very close to Paseo de la Reforma. Shrines can also be found in the back of drug stores and gas stations. As veneration of Santa Muerte becomes more accepted, stores specializing in religious items, such as botánicas, are more often carrying paraphernalia related to the cult. This is true even of stores in very well known locations such as Pasaje Catedral behind the Mexico City Cathedral, which is mostly dedicated to store selling Catholic liturgical items. Her image is a staple in esoteric shops. There are those who now call themselves priests or priestesses of the image, such as Jackeline Rodríguez in Monterrey. She maintains a shop in Mercado Juárez in Monterrey, where tarot readers, curanderos, herbal healers and sorcerers can also be found.