At a shrine in Tijuana, dozens mark birthday of an unlikely 'saint'
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20050625-9...
"He's God's Angel"
By Anna Cearley
June 25, 2005
TIJUANA ? The birthday party took place in a graveyard, and the self-invited guests brought sodas, tacos and mariachis.
For believers in the miracles of an unofficial saint called Juan Soldado, ? John the Soldier ? yesterday was a time to thank him for resolving
personal matters, ensuring good health, and in some cases, "they are the expressions of the way ordinary people live their lives."
The emergence of saints who haven't been sanctioned by the Catholic Church, such as Juan Soldado, is perhaps the result of people trying to connect to
religion on a more personal level, said Paul J. Vanderwood, professor emeritus of Mexican history at San Diego State University.
"Christianity was imposed on the Roman Empire as well, but people still insisted on practicing their own faith," he said.
Vanderwood said Juan Soldado's followers "are right in the median or a little above it" in terms of education, salary and social standing. Their
belief in Juan Soldado doesn't indicate they are turning away from the Catholic Church, he said, because about half say they go to Mass once a week.
Around noon yesterday, more than 60 people had gathered at the shrine. Some paid mariachis to sing songs in honor of Juan Soldado. Several women
danced on a tombstone and clapped their hands to the tunes.
Four-year-old Israel Romero reached out to a statue of Juan Soldado at his shrine in Tijuana. Many in Mexico believe Juan Soldado, who was executed in
1938, was not guilty.
About 15 members of the Castro family set up chairs near the shrine. They said they come here each June 24 with food and drinks, which they distribute
to the other devotees for free.
Raul Castro, 50, asked Juan Soldado for help more than 30 years ago when he crossed illegally to work in the United States. Now he's a U.S. citizen
who drives a forklift at a grocery chain's warehouse.
"Whenever I've had a problem, I've come here to ask him to please help me," said Castro, who has suffered from a heart ailment. "He's God's angel and
he's helped me along."
Raul's sister Socorro Castro, 55, said she prayed for Juan Soldado to help fix the immigration status of her three children who crossed illegally into
the United States. Now they are all legal residents.
The belief that Juan Soldado was falsely accused is what makes him such a good miracle worker for his believers. Vanderwood said people who die
unjustly are believed to be closer to God, and thus more direct intermediaries for requests.
"Most of the people who go there say that he was innocent of the crime, that he was falsely accused and executed," he said.
At the cemetery, Alfonso Carranza, 72, honored Juan Soldado in the most humble way ? on his knees. He and his wife, Maria, had traveled more than two
hours from Mexicali so he could crawl along the cemetery's cobblestone path toward the shrine. To ease the pain, Maria placed carpet fragments on the
ground as he inched forward.
"He used to have lots of difficulties walking, but now he can walk all right," Maria Carranza said as her husband wiped the sweat from his forehead
with a handkerchief. "It's a miracle that he asked for."
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