The Venerable Vulnerable: A Theological Reflection on Hispanic Penitential Practices

Abstract

These are actual quotes from well-educated and probably well-intentioned pastoral ministers who have seen Latinos’ and Latinas’ public expressions of penance but failed to understand because they did not participate. And they did not participate, in part, because there is so little theological reflection on the actual religious practices of U.S. Hispanic Catholics. This article considers the practice of penance by Hispanic Catholics in the United States. It may be instructive to those who preach, teach, celebrate, and share the same faith, but with different cultural approaches. After noting some cultural distinctions based on linguistic differences I will offer a theological reflection based on popular penitential practices expressed through Hispanic religious music, art, and drama, influenced by the Franciscans.