A respected leader within Mexico's Santa Muerte cult, "La Madrina Chayo," was fatally shot at an altar dedicated to the folk saint in Leon, Guanajuato, on Friday. The violent incident, which also claimed the lives of another woman and a child, left eight others injured. Prosecutors did not give the woman's real name; the killings occurred during preparations for the annual Santa Muerte celebration. La Santa Muerte, or "Holy Death," attracts worshippers from marginalized communities, including convicts and those facing hardship; she is supposed to safeguard her followers from death.
Despite its foreboding name, the Santa Muerte celebration is typically a congenial event, akin to Mexico's Day of the Dead. Held on November 1 and 2, these gatherings see worshippers exchange small gifts. While the saint is invoked for a range of supernatural favors, from safeguarding illegal enterprises to preventing infidelity, the annual festivities remain largely amicable, underscoring the complexity of its adherents' faith. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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