María Lionza: Mexico’s Imported Indigenous Folk Saint

Posted March 26, 2023 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

This relatively new folk saint is gaining traction – and power – in Mexico.

Our Lord of Wonders, a Tale of 2 Jesus Shrines

Posted January 2, 2023January 2, 2023 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

Many miracles are attributed to Our Lord of the Wonders.

El Cristo Roto, The Broken Jesus of Aguascalientes

Posted July 31, 2022July 31, 2022 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

What’s the meaning behind the gigantic mutilated Christ figure in the middle of a Mexican lake?

Saintly Mexican Folktales

Posted January 2, 2022 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

Many fables in Mexico involve earthly encounters with saints. Here are three.

Little-Known Mexican Virgins, Part 4

Posted December 12, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

The story of 3 little-known Marian devotions in Mexico and the miracles connected with them.

Guadalupe’s Messenger, San Juan Diego

Posted October 3, 2021October 3, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

A humble Native man was witness to apparitions of the Virgin Mary on a hill in Mexico

Little-Known Mexican Virgins, Part Three

Posted September 5, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

The story of 3 little-known Marian devotions in Mexico and the miracles connected with them.

Little-Known Mexican Virgins, Part Two

Posted June 13, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

Many little-known images of the Virgin Mary are worshiped throughout Mexico. Here are 3

Little-Known Mexican Virgins, Part One

Posted May 30, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

Many little-known images of the Virgin Mary are worshiped throughout Mexico. Here are 4.

The Lucky Baby Jesus of Tlalpan

Posted March 28, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

This image of the Baby Jesus sleeping on a skull has given comfort to millions for over 200 years.

The Gigantic Baby Jesus of Zóquite

Posted February 28, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

The largest statue of the Baby Jesus in the world exists in a small town in Zacatecas.

The Black Christ of San Roman

Posted November 15, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

Since 1565 a mysterious black Christ figure has been worshiped in Campeche.

Junipero Serra: Saint or Villain?

Posted August 24, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

History does not quite know what to do with this canonized Franciscan friar.

The Santo Niño and the Miracles at Plateros

Posted May 17, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

The shrine at Plateros draws millions of pilgrims a year who venerate an old statue of the Baby Jesus.

The Black Christ of Otatitlán

Posted February 2, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

A carving of a black Christ brings hundreds of thousands of believers yearly to a small town in Veracruz.

Baby Jesus of the Little Peanut

Posted November 10, 2019 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

A small statue of the Baby Jesus draws thousands of pilgrims to a tiny Mexican town.

The Case of the Bi-locating Nun

Posted August 26, 2019August 26, 2019 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

Sister Maria evangelized the Indians of the New World without ever leaving her convent in Spain.

Juan Soldado: Folk Saint of Migrants and the Wrongly Accused

Posted April 29, 2019April 30, 2019 Robert Bitto1 CommentPosted in Religious Curiosities

Thousands have put their faith in this man who was shot by the Mexican army in 1938.

Our Lady of Talpa, Virgin of Many Miracles

Posted February 4, 2019 Robert Bitto2 CommentsPosted in Religious Curiosities

This lesser-known Virgin receives millions of yearly visitors & is credited with many miracles.

The Miraculous Healing Waters of Tlacote

Posted November 5, 2018 Robert Bitto7 CommentsPosted in Religious Curiosities

Tens of thousands of people claim to have been cured by the well water from a small ranch in rural Mexico.

The Miraculous Life of Saint Rafael Guízar y Valencia

Posted July 9, 2018July 9, 2018 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

On several death lists, this humble priest ministered to tens of thousands of people in need.

The Miracle of the Virgin of Forgiveness

Posted March 5, 2018March 5, 2018 Robert Bitto3 CommentsPosted in Religious Curiosities

The Virgin Mary appeared to a Flemish painter who was jailed by the Inquisition in colonial Mexico City

Felipe de Jesús, Mexican Martyr in Japan

Posted January 1, 2018 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities

The first Mexican-born saint was crucified in Japan in 1597. Here is his story.

The Weeping Virgin of Monterrey

Posted October 30, 2017 Robert Bitto1 CommentPosted in Religious Curiosities

A Divine message? In Monterrey this image of Mary cries every day.

Madre Lupita, Mexican Saint & Angel to the Poor

Posted September 11, 2017 Robert Bitto3 CommentsPosted in Religious Curiosities

Made a saint by Pope Francis, Madre Lupita dedicated her life to those in desperate need.

Jesus in the Sky and the Flowering Crown of Thorns

Posted August 7, 2017 Robert Bitto5 CommentsPosted in Religious Curiosities

Two miracles in the town of Ocotlán baffle believers and non-believers alike

The Rise in Mexican Exorcisms

Posted July 17, 2017 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Religious Curiosities, Uncategorized

Cases of alleged demonic possession are on the rise in Mexico. Why?

The Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala

Posted May 14, 2017May 14, 2017 Robert Bitto4 CommentsPosted in Religious Curiosities

Pope Francis fast-tracked 3 boys to sainthood. This is the story of their lives & times.

El Niño Fidencio: Miraculous Healer or Fake?

Posted April 17, 2017April 17, 2017 Robert Bitto6 CommentsPosted in Religious Curiosities

Did a man from a small desert town have the ability to heal or was he a fraud?

The Virgin of Zapopan

Posted March 20, 2017March 20, 2017 Robert Bitto2 CommentsPosted in Religious Curiosities

Millions have claimed miracles related to this centuries-old statue of a Mexican Virgin Mary.