Cubans Claim Wishes Granted at St. Lazarus Rite

Cubans Claim Wishes Granted at St. Lazarus Rite

Thousands of Cubans are taking part in one of the island's most important religious rites, a pilgrimage to pay homage to Saint Lazarus at the El Rincon church.

Some pilgrims weigh themselves down with blocks and stones to make their 25-kilometer journey to the church more difficult.

Many Cubans regard Lazarus as a mix between the Catholic saint and the Afro-Cuban deity Babalu-Aye. Saint Lazarus, is often represented as a beggar in rags and is believed to cure people of their skin ailments, paralysis, amputations and HIV/AIDS.

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D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.

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