La iglesia Catolica

In the center of town is a plaza where people spend time, eating, talking, enjoying life. It is a central location that has the main attraction of the Catholic church. Catholicism is sharply different as practiced here compared to most of the Catholicism in the U.S. On the side of the church there is a room where a plastic, life-size figure lies. This is the representation of St. Kino. I am a little fuzzy on all the details, but he is revered in this town and in the hearts of Mexican Catholics. People come through and worship his plastic likeness, putting money in at his feet and kissing up his body until they reach his head. Once they reach his head, they try to lift him. If they can lift him, it signifies that forgiveness has been offered or whatever they have requested will come to pass. If one cannot lift, it shows that the petition won't be answered.

I have seen people cry when not able to lift his shoulders off of the pedestal. This isn't a practice that just the old of the town believe and participate in, but all ages. Not far away from the church lie his bones, under glass for all to see.

Please pray for the spiritual deception that has engulfed the people, who believe that putting money at a plastic figure's feet can bring redemption. May they feel the emptiness in their lives and a desire for something more, to serve something that isn't made by man with the paint chipping.

(If you have the opportunity to come and see it for yourselves, please be very cautious in taking pictures or doing anything that would mock the statue. Some one from a work team took this when no one was around. Obviously, disrespect to St. Kino is extremely offensive and doesn't help to spread the Love of Jesus.)