CULIACAN, Mexico (RNS) Every year, thousands of people in Culiacan, headquarters of the Sinaloan drug cartel, turn out to venerate a legendary figure who is known as the patron saint of traffickers.
The Catholic Church does not recognize Jesus Malverde in its pantheon of saints. And while he is said to have been born in 1870 as Jesus Juarez Mazo and died in 1909, there are no documents to prove he existed.
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- Musicians play near one of many altars in the chapel of Jesus Malverde, El Santo de los Narcos, on the supposed anniversary of his death, May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- A man prays to Jesus Malverde at the main altar in the chapel for the saint of drug traffickers on May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- Flowers adorn one of the main altars in the chapel of Jesus Malverde on May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- A man drinks whiskey as people gather to celebrate Jesus Malverde, El Santo de los Narcos, on May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- A man wears a chain with a large bust of Jesus Malverde on top of a tattoo, featuring the saint of drug traffickers and marijuana leaves, while celebrating the anniversary of his death, May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- Followers of Jesus Malverde touch and put gifts of necklaces around a bust of El Santo de los Narcos to request prosperity during anniversary celebrations on May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- A Huichol family, natives of western Mexico, pose for a photo at an altar in the chapel of Jesus Malverde on May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- The deer dance is a pre-Hispanic tradition of indigenous Mexican peoples to ask for rain, which a man performs in front of the bust of Jesus Malverde, on May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- People faithful to Jesus Malverde, El Santo de los Narcos, put currencies of different denominations at an altar to ask for riches and abundance in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- Chapel manager Jesus Gonzales carries a bust of Jesus Malverde during the anniversary celebrations on May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- Followers of Jesus Malverde put tributes of gold chains around a bust of El Santo de los Narcos to request prosperity during anniversary celebrations on May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- Hundreds of people gather every year to celebrate Jesus Malverde, El Santo de los Narcos, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- The chapel of Jesus Malverde is visited by entire families. The chapel includes hundreds of images of the folklore saint and a dozen altars in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- In addition to drug traffickers, police also visit the chapel of Jesus Malverde, El Santo de los Narcos, to ask for protection on May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
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- Shops line the area outside the chapel of Jesus Malverde on the supposed anniversary of his death, May 3, 2016, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. RNS photo by Jair Cabrera Torres
Still, on Wednesday (May 3) men, women and children of all ages will march in a procession with a statue of the Robin Hood-like folk hero who is also known as the “Protector of the Narcos.”
With shouts and applause, they will supplicate him with requests for protection, courage and prosperity.
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Bundles of money, chains of gold, flowers and oil paintings are some of the tributes offered to Malverde, who draws devotees from afar, including many parts of Mexico as well as across the border from Los Angeles.
The accompanying photo essay shows images from last year’s festival.
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