Enriqueta Romero, known as Doña Queta, maintains a prominent altar dedicated to the folk saint Santa Muerte in Mexico City [1].
The shrine serves as a spiritual hub for a marginalized community in the Barrio Bravo of Tepito, reflecting the persistence of folk Catholicism in urban Mexico.
Romero is 80 years old [2]. She has been in charge of the altar for nearly 25 years [2]. The shrine is located on Alfarería street, where it attracts a steady stream of followers who seek protection or favor from the personification of death.
Devotees typically gather on the first day or first Sunday of each month [1, 2]. Reports on the scale of these gatherings vary. Some sources said the altar attracts hundreds of devotees each month [1], while other reports indicate thousands visit the site [2].
Romero said the practice is rooted in spirituality rather than the occult. "No hay brujería, no hay nada más que fe," she said, noting there is no witchcraft, only faith [2]. She believes the veneration of Santa Muerte can coexist with traditional Catholicism.
The altar remains a focal point of the Tepito neighborhood, blending religious devotion with the local street culture of the Barrio Bravo.
“"No hay brujería, no hay nada más que fe."”
The continued popularity of the Santa Muerte altar in Tepito underscores a broader trend of syncretism in Mexico, where traditional Catholic beliefs merge with folk saints. Because Santa Muerte is often embraced by those who feel rejected by formal institutions, the shrine functions as both a religious site and a social anchor for the residents of one of Mexico City's most complex neighborhoods.
