St. Martín de Porres
Book Description
In this illuminating exploration, Alex García-Rivera reveals how the beloved tales surrounding St. Martín de Porres contain profound layers of meaning that extend far beyond their surface charm. While these traditional stories possess the same endearing quality as those told about St. Francis of Assisi, García-Rivera demonstrates that they simultaneously serve as powerful expressions of resistance from Latin America's marginalized communities.
Through careful analysis using semiotic methodology and drawing insights from scholars like Robert Schreiter, Eugene Genovese, and Antonio Gramsci, the author uncovers how these seemingly simple narratives carry the hidden consciousness of oppressed peoples. What emerges is a fascinating dual portrait: the saint beloved for his humility and miraculous works, and the symbol of a submerged yet persistent voice of resistance against social injustice.
García-Rivera's approach transforms familiar religious stories into windows for understanding the complex relationship between faith, culture, and social conditions in Latin America. By "unpacking" these traditional tales, he reveals how spiritual narratives can simultaneously preserve religious devotion and encode messages of hope and defiance.
This scholarly yet accessible work offers readers a fresh perspective on how religious stories function within marginalized communities, making it valuable for anyone interested in the intersection of spirituality, culture, and social justice. The book provides new insights into both the saint's enduring appeal and the deeper currents of Latin American religious consciousness.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~4 hours)
📄 Length: 142 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religious life and customs
- ✓ Explore Catholic Church
- ✓ Explore Latin America
- ✓ Explore Latin america, social conditions
- ✓ Explore Theologie
- ✓ Explore Peru, biography
- ✓ Explore Christian biography
- ✓ Explore Christianity and culture
