Patron Saint by John Bertrum Ford

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Its very interested to see or to note the importance of Saint work in hoodoo practices. what makes it even more interesting is how we go about doing it, and how sometimes they seem to cross over into other traditions such as Vodou, Santeria, Brujeria etc. Catholocism (its what I am more comforatble with and more knowledgable with) approaches Saints as something very special and important. In Vodou traditions Lwa usually have a Saint image and I have been told they are either a) the same person or b)a mask.



In hoodoo rootwork we distinguish the Saints much differently from loa, and more often then not we reject the loa as something we can't really touch or interact with for whatever reasons. the lwa SOMETIMES not always is viewed in hoodoo practices as different and separate from the Saints, and so its easier to call on a Saint then it is to work with a loa.



Those who were once Catholic and went to church and received their confession (not sure what its called in English) you are given your Patron Saint. In hoodoo practices people are sometimes described as having the following spirits to interact with:



A Devil (this is sometimes seen as strongly associated with Legba)

A Guardian Angel

Ancestors

A demon (much different from a Devil)

A Genius/Juno (sometimes considered the Guardian angel)

A lesser Deity (such as hecate etc.)

A Spirit totem

A spirit guide (seen as much different then a totem)

*A Patron Saint

And also a Geist (couldn't think of any other word for it, but its like a Ghede)



In Catholocism you are given a Patron Saint, and this Saint will help you with everything. its not simply limited to a single task such as perhaps Saint Anthony to protect children or bring about miracles or to find lost things. Patron Saints are very important in hoodoo practices because it is the Saint that is closely associated with you and walks the path with you in life. Anyone can work with any Saint, and relationships are key in hoodoo when working with spirits.



The Patron Saint acts as a direct medium between you and God and can help petition your prayers and request. Some are better then others, and some are better at one thing then another. Saints were once human in their life time, and so they have wants and needs.



Some of the most noticeable cross overs between Vodou and hoodoo (although VERY VERY DIFFERENT APPROACHES) is the construction of an altar for that particular Saint and service you provide for them and in return be serviced.



There has been a lot of misconceptions of hoodoo being a selfish magical system (although it can be) and that a lot of the spirituality is lost and hows and whys.



This can be true, but in other cases not so much.



Although hoodoo is indeed a magical practice, a lot of those who practice hoodoo are very faithful to their religious aspects of thereselves and so great connections are forged between the mortal flesh and spirits.



The reason I am writing quickly and mentioning quickly the importance of Patron Saints is because exactly that. The Patron Saint is the most important Saint you will work with. He or she can help you with anything, and generally this is the connection you will develope and truly love the Saints.



Saints are sometimes seen as necromancy workings in some Christian faiths, viewing that communication with the Saints is evil because it is necromancy. By worshiping the saints you turn away from God. Although they have a point in one singular domain that it is indeed a form of neromancy we do not WORSHIP the Saints but pray with them. That is how you should approach the saints.



You approach the Saints as allies to God, and that they are there to help serve you as you serve them, they are a gateway to God and will help you form a closer connection to Him (or it whatever you see it) and that the Patron Saint is your most trusted ally.