St. Mary Magdalene

Santo with hair and fabric
Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Kawit, Cavite, the Philippines
Thought to be 17th century

This image was contributed in 2003 by Mr. Niccolo Sambile Cosme, chairperson of the Cavite Society of Young Artists.  Mr. Sambile reports that the walled church in Cavite is the only one in his province named for a female saint other than Mary.  He identifies the object in the santo's right hand as a perfume jar.  The mark in her forehead is popularly associated with the Resurrection, though some say that it is actually a bullet hole from the time of the war with Japan, the santo being "a very popular icon of the Spanish-Filipino war and Japanese-Filipino war."  The wig seen here covers "hair" that is part of the statue itself.  Beneath the gown the santo is wearing silver shoes.

In May and also on the saint's feast, July 22, the santo is "danced" through the streets in a type of slow procession known as the "Karakol."

More of St. Mary Magdalene