The Penitentes of New Mexico: Hermanos de la Luz

This is the first major study by a Hispano from New Mexico with intergenerational ties to the Penitentes--the deeply religious group called Hermanos de la Luz, Brothers of the Light. It also ties the santero folk art of New Mexico, the Penitente Brotherhood, and the Penitente religious hymns, alabados, together. De Arag n asserts that one cannot truly function without all three and herein lies the devotional beauty that has been passed down for generations in Spanish folk tradition. Ray John de Arag n is an internationally recognized santero and writer. He has received numerous awards and is credited with producing imges meant primarily for religious veneration like the original New Mexico santeros of he nineteenth century. He has always strived for authentic detail in sculpting wooden figures that most closely resemble the spiritual and folk quality of the originals. His attention to true religious detail centered on the Passion sufferings of Christ is evident in this book. He is the is the author of "Padre Mart nez and Bishop Lamy," "The Legend of La Llorona," and "Recollections of the Life of the Priest Don Antonio Jose Mart nez," all from Sunstone Press.