Every year thousands of Cuban pilgrims visit the national shrine of San Lázaro [Saint Lazarus] in the tiny village of El Rincón, near Havana. There, come rain or shine, devotees of the most-venerated saint on the island gather together to keep their pledges, complete their penances and pray for a cure for their illnesses or those of their cherished family members. On the night of December 16 and morning of December 17, the small sanctuary of El Rincón held a multitude that crowded together near the altar of Saint Lazarus, a figure that combines the biblical character whom Jesus brought back from the dead and the leprous beggar whose sores were licked by dogs. The image of both Catholic saints is mixed with the representation of Babalú Ayé, an image from the Cuban SanterÃa religion, whose dead body was also revived, like Lazarus of Bethany, and whose body was covered with sores, like Lazarus the beggar. Thus the Cuban slaves who arrived on the island hid their religious beliefs behind Catholic appearances and could continue to worship their own gods.
