Praying to Saints and Folk Magic: Santa Morte (Holy Death)

The Italian Santa Morte (Holy Death) is akin to the Latina Grim Reaper known as Santísima Muerte, Santa Muerte, and by a bunch of other Spanish titles and epithets.

I have been told that Santa Morte has been honored by some practitioners of the Italian paths. The two practitioners I have been in contact with both lived in the Southwest of the USA. She is also called "Donna Morte" (Woman Death), "Sorella Morte" (Sister Death), and "Sora nostra morte corporale." The last name is from "The Canticle of the Creatures" (Il Cantico delle Creature), written by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1226. In the original text by Saint Francis, the phrase, “sora nostra morte corporale,” is often translated as “Sister Death.” However,  it can be more literally translated as “Our Sister Bodily Death.”

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Death [sora nostra morte corporale],
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in their sins!
Blessed are those that She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
--English translation of Saint Francis, "The Canticle of the Creatures" (Il Cantico delle Creature), 1226.
Sister Death is physical death, not the "second death." The "second death" is spiritual death. The spiritual death is eternal death. It is the "second death" that prevents the soul from ever entering into Heaven.

I believe this angel of death may also be known as “Comare Morte” or “Madrina Morte “(Godmother Death).

In any case, I offer this prayer to honor Santa Morte (Holy Death).

Preghiera per una morte beata: tre offerte Santissima Morte. (Italiano)

Preghiera per una morte benedetta: tre offerte della Santa Morte. Santa Morte di offrire i meriti di Gesù Cristo, in ringraziamento per il Preziosissimo Sangue versato in giardino per l'umanità; E quei meriti io supplico Maestà Divina il perdono dei miei peccati. Può anche ottenere una morte benevola.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.

Santa Morte di offrire i meriti di Gesù Cristo, in ringraziamento per il vostro prezioso Sopportò morte in croce per l'umanità; E questi meriti io supplico alla Maestà Divina La remissione del dolore a causa dei miei peccati. Potrei anche ottenere una morte buona.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.

Santa Morte di offrire i meriti di Gesù Cristo, in ringraziamento per la sua carità indescrivibile, scendere dal cielo sulla terra per prendere la carne umana, soffrire e morire per l'umanità sulla Croce; E quei meriti Imploro il Maestà Divina per portare la mia anima alla gloria del cielo dopo la mia morte. Può anche ottenere una morte pacifica.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.

[The following Italian text results from running the words through Google translate via English/Spanish into Italian, back into English then into Italian, etc. (I love fiddling with languages, studying words, etc. so--for me--this is a joyous activity. I did send it to a stregone who commented the result was “Very powerful!”]

Prayer for a Blessed Death: Three Offerings of Holy Death. (English)

Holy Death to offer the merits of Jesus Christ in thanksgiving for the Most Precious Blood poured into the garden for humanity; And those deserves I beg the Divine Majesty the forgiveness of my sins. May I also obtain a benevolent death.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.

Holy Death to offer the merits of Jesus Christ in thanksgiving to your precious He endured death on the cross for humanity; And these deserve I plead with the Divine Majesty The remission of pain because of my sins. May I also obtain a good death.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.

Holy Death to offer the merits of Jesus Christ, in gratitude for his indescribable charity, to come down from heaven to earth to take human flesh, to suffer and to die for humanity on the Cross; And those Merits I implore the Divine Majesty to bring my soul to the glory of heaven after my death. May I also obtain a peaceful death.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.

The prayer above has a strong Catholic base. Yet, Santa Morte may have a link to an ancient Roman divinity, Dea Mors, a feminine personification of death.

Saint Joseph (San Giuseppe) is associated with the Holy Death or Happy Death. Hence, I am also including the prayer below.

Orazione del San Giuseppe e la Morte Santa

Caro San Giuseppe, accetta l'offerta io fa voi. Sia il miei padre, protezione e guida nel senso di salvezza. Ottenga per me la purezza di cuore e un amore per la vita spiritosa. Dopo il vostro esempio, lasci tutte le mie azioni essere diretto verso la maggior gloria del dio, in unione con il cuore divino di Gesu, il cuore immacolato di Maria ed il vostro proprio cuore paterno. Per concludere, preghi per me che posso ripartirmi nella pace e nella gioia della vostra Santa Morte. Amen.

Prayer for San Giuseppe and the Santa Morte

Dear San Giuseppe, accept the offering I make to you. Be my father, protector, and guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me purity of heart and a love for the spiritual life. After your example, let all my actions be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart. Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your Santa Morte (holy death). Amen.

copyright July 17, 2017 Myth Woodling

Other information:
You tube: La Morte Madrina

You tube: Comare Morte

An image on a prayer card showing La Morte Madrina che è l'angela della morte.

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