Santeria – The saint of good health, St Lazarus

In the Santeria religion in Cuba, St Lazarus is widely worshiped, and he is one of the most worshiped saints in the religion.

St Lazarus appears as a fragile old man with a ragged appearance who may resemble a beggar.  He is covered in cuts and other wounds, walking with crutches, dressed in rags and clothes made from sackcloth, and followed by dogs.  His day of the week is Wednesday, and his day of the year is the 17^th of December, and many people make him a ceremony and give him offerings on this day.

St Lazarus is highly worshiped because he is believes to be a spirit who controls everyone’s health.  Devotees praise him and give him offerings with the belief that he will grant them good health, cure them of their current health problems, avoid any future medical complications, and curse their enemies by giving them ill health.

People can worship St Lazarus for various reasons such as, to ask him to bless them with good health, to undergo a religious initiation in order to overcome big health problems, or to become a santero (a spiritual priest) and consult and heal other people.  There may be slight differences to how people worship St Lazarus, but the objectives tend to be pretty much the same.   

Those who make a promise to St Lazarus may do things such as, promise him an offering, grow their hair for a prolonged length of time, or dress in clothes made from sackcloth.

Offerings for this saint include things such as a sacrificial meal such as a male chicken or goat, aguardiente rum, dry wine, coconut cakes, cigars, toasted corn, dark and sweet coffee, water, sugar water, and other sweets and treats.  It’s also good to light white candles and ring a small bell when you are going to say catholic prayers and spiritual prayers dedicated for St Lazarus.  All of these things are supposed to call the saint so that he will listen to you talking to him, and it will also give strength to him, and appease him so that it can then have the power and the will to help its you accomplish your goals.

People who seek the help of St Lazarus may have a statue of the saint which has been blessed, which they may dress with a purple or brown cloak, a Santeria leleke (bead necklace) which would be white with blue stripes.  A little container or plate may also be put beside the statue so that spare change may be placed into it in order for the saint to give people good luck and money, or it can also be used as a way of saving up money for food and rum for the saint.  People may also buy and prepare a bead necklace or bracelet which they will put on in order to have health and protection.

St Lazarus is a vary important saint because he blesses you with health, and as people say in Santeria in Cuba "When you pray and ask god or the saints for anything, always ask for good health before anything else, because with good health you can have the power to achieve anything that you want, but with bad health you can't do much." and I personally think that this statement is true because there is no point of having everything in the world, but being ill and unable to use any of it.  What do you think?