December 17th – Feast of Saint Lazarus|San Lazaro|Babaluaye
Posted by Jacqueline on Dec 16th, 2008 in Various Saints Candle Spells | Comments Off on December 17th – Feast of Saint Lazarus|San Lazaro|Babaluaye
December 17th is the feast day of St Lazarus. He was the poor man who sat at the gates of the city and begged for alms while dogs licked at his wounds.
Lazarus is the brother of Saints Martha and Mary, and was a close friend of Jesus. It is believed that it was Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead after being placed in a tomb for four days. It is then that Lazarus emerged from the tomb without any imperfection, illness or impurity.
San Lazaro, as he is known in the Latino culture, is petitioned for serious illness or any deformities of the body of any kind. He can be seen as a patron Saint for many who suffer from skeletal disfigurements, as he is believed to help relieve the suffering and also the pain of being ostracized for their disability.
In the Afro-Caribbean religions of Lukumi and Santeria, Lazaro is also known as Babaluaye. When you trace the history of his devotion back to Africa, Babaluaye is the God of Smallpox, Sompanna or Champana, which has ravaged the Continent for centuries. In this religious path, the ile (or Houses of Worship) open their doors to any who are afflicted. The devotees stand on large white sheets and have various grains poured over them such as rice, beans, corn, lentils and such, to absorb the illness and disease. Many will receive “limpias” or “limpiezas”, full body “cleanings” or “cleansings” of herbs, cigar smoke, Florida Water and/or White Rum. If one Santero or Santera becomes “possessed” by the Spirit, he or she will given wise cousel to whom he believes needs it. The grains are collected and wrpped up in the white sheeting to be disposed of properly.A feast usually is served afterwards.
Saint Lazarus’ candle is purple and I always suggest burning a purple candle devoted to him, along with a glass of white wine (he cannot accept water as an offering, as it exacerbates smallpox).
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