I think one important thing to remember about the Fidencista Movement is the absolutely essential part photography plays in the dissemination of its gospel. You can imagine the impact photographs would have on bolstering religious faith. For perhaps the first time in the history of divinity, the presence of photographs can prove beyond any doubt the existence of its main man. In this new Dispensation of Technology, the faith factor relevant to Fidencismo becomes not Christ’s admonition to the doubting Thomas: “Blessed are they who have not seen,” but more like: “Blessed are they who have seen the most photographs.” Alberto has a lot of photographs, perhaps the most extensive collection outside of Espinazo. ~ Katherine Brittain in “The WASP and El Curandero“
Tag: Nino Fidencio
Introducing Jose Fidencio Constantino, spiritual doctor through earthly shaman-priests
The study of religion is engaging, and studying the “Christ” figure of Fidencismo even more so, for, although bifurcated off Catholocism, Fidencismo is a nascent religion in process.
The dissemination of “Nino’s gospel” (my thesis), earned me respect, for there were those who doubted a middle aged, non-Spanish speaking, WASP woman could pull off such indigenous Mexican research. I didn’t tell anybody that my tireless dedication was because I suffered from secret Deseo under the spell of one of Fidencismo’s priests. That would be Alberto Salinas, the curandero. He didn’t mind a bit translating for me.
Just call me Luke(a) when I blog José Fidencio de Jesús Sintora Constantino (1898-1938), his photographs, and the Fiesta rituals that are more eye-popping than Sunday services in a Protestant church.
Katherine Brittain 