The prayer to Santa Muerte (“Holy Death”) is a devotion followed mainly in Mexico and parts of Central America and the United States. Below is the complete prayer in English, followed by an explanation of who Santa Muerte is, how devotees pray to her and what the Catholic Church says about this devotion.
Prayer to Santa Muerte
Powerful Holy One, hear my plea. Come to my aid; I ask for your protection in this difficult situation I am going through. You know the pain I am suffering. I have a very hard problem (state your request), and I know you will solve it.
Holy Santa Muerte, I ask for your great support, and from my heart I beg you: do not leave me alone in this moment, because it is when I need you most. My White Girl, guide me along the path; go before me and set aside everything evil. Now all doors will open for me, thanks to your powerful hands. You can help me. Drive away the bad energies and my problems will disappear.
Holy One, free me from the troubles that afflict me. For the love I have for you, help me in this hour. It is a very difficult situation, but I trust in you, and I know you will resolve it.
Santa Muerte, I seek your sacred comfort. Remove from my path any obstacle that disturbs my peace. I know my problem is on its way to a solution. You will hear my desperate voice, for you know how much I am suffering.
Powerful Santa Muerte, give me strength and will. I can bear no more; in you I place my last hopes. My Lady, let your strength and wisdom come to me. Grant me, with your power, the solution to this problem (state your request).
Amen.
Who is Santa Muerte?
Santa Muerte is a folk figure, usually shown as a skeletal woman in a robe holding a scythe and a globe. Devotees, who often call her the “Niña Blanca” (White Girl), ask her for protection, health, love, work and help in difficult situations. Her cult grew strongly in Mexico from the early 2000s and has spread to Mexican communities in the United States.
What does the Catholic Church say?
The Catholic Church does not recognize the worship of Santa Muerte. It is an independent popular devotion, although many devotees mix it with Catholic elements such as candles, rosaries and prayers. Church leaders in Mexico and the Vatican have publicly criticized it as incompatible with Christian faith. This page is informational and does not endorse any practice.
How is the prayer usually said?
Devotees typically look for a quiet place, think carefully about what they need and light a candle before praying. White candles are the most common, and other colors are used for specific requests, such as red for love or gold for money and work. Many pray on the first day of each month or whenever they need urgent help.
Frequently asked questions
A folk saint of Mexican origin, shown as a skeletal figure in a robe, to whom devotees pray for protection, health, love and work.
No. The Catholic Church does not recognize Santa Muerte as a saint and does not approve her cult, even though some devotees combine it with Catholic practices.
White is the most common color, associated with purity and general protection. Other colors are traditionally linked to specific requests, such as red for love or gold for money and work.
There is no required time. Many devotees pray on the first day of each month or whenever they need urgent help.
It is a traditional devotional text shared among devotees. This page offers an English rendering of the Spanish prayer published on our Spanish site.