Articles about Catholicism

Santa Sara Kali is the patron saint of the Romani people, worshipped in the French Camargue. See the history, the pilgrimage of May 24, and why the Church did not canonize her.

Saint Expedite is the patron of urgent causes. See who the soldier of Melitene was, the legend of the crow, the traditional prayer, and what is prayed on April 19.

Promise to a saint: understand what the Church actually teaches, the traditional ways to pay, and the path provided for those who could not fulfill what they promised.

Saint Anthony and Ogum (Ogun): why the matchmaker saint is the warrior orixá (orisha) in Bahia, the difference from Saint George in the Southeast, and syncretism as resistance.

Saint Benedict was born free, the son of enslaved Africans in Sicily. See who the black saint was, why he became the patron of brotherhoods, and where he is celebrated.

Senhor do Bonfim and Oxalá (Obatala): why the Christ of the Bahian hill was associated with the orixá of creation, how the Lavagem was born, and what truly separates the two.

Festa da Boa Morte: who are the black sisters of Cachoeira, why the festival runs from August 13 to 17, and how Catholicism and Candomblé Ketu share the date.

Saint Jerome and Xangô (Shango): who was the saint of the lion, why he was associated with the orixá of justice, and why the answer changes depending on the region and the casa de santo.

Our Lady of the Rosary and the congado: the history of the brotherhoods of black men, the purchase of manumission, the coronation of the King of Congo, and the IPHAN registration.

Saint Roch and Obaluaê: who was the saint of dogs and plagues, why August 16 became the day of Omolu (Omulu) in the terreiros, and how he differs from Saint Lazarus.

Saint Michael the Archangel: who he is, what the biblical passages say, why the festival of September 29 became the day of the three archangels, and why he does not have a fixed orixá.

Saint Bartholomew and Oxumaré (Oshumare): the syncretism of the apostle with the rainbow orixá, why the feast is August 24, and how the two traditions cross without confusing each other.

Saint Lazarus and Obaluaê: why the saint of the sores became the orixá of healing, the difference from Saint Roch, and the feast dates. Understand the syncretism of Omulu.

Saint Anne and Nanã (Nana Buruku) meet on July 26: the grandmother of Jesus and the oldest of the orixás. See the syncretism, the Salubá greeting, and the offerings.

Saint Sebastian and Oxóssi (Oshosi): why the saint of the arrows became the hunter orixá in Rio de Janeiro, what changes in Bahia and Pernambuco, and what January 20 is like.

Who was Saint Cyprian: the martyr saint, the legend of the converted mage with Saint Justina, the apocryphal Book of Saint Cyprian, and the popular devotion in Brazil.

In Umbanda, Saint Peter is syncretized with Xangô and his day is June 29. Meet the saint of the keys of heaven and the June festivals that end the month of June.

Why is the patron saint of Brazil linked to Oxum (Oshun)? The history of 1717, Afro syncretism as resistance, and how Umbanda and Candomblé honor October 12.

Saint Barbara and Iansã (Oya): the history of the saint of lightning, why she was associated with the orixá of winds, the festival on December 4, and the caruru in Salvador.

Saint George and Ogum: the history of the warrior saint, why he was associated with the orixá of iron, April 23, and why in Bahia he becomes Oxóssi, not Ogum.

June saints and the orixás: understand the syncretism of Saint Anthony with Ogum, Saint John with Xangô and Saint Peter, and why June is the month of Xangô.