This crucifix was passed down from my great grandmother to my grandmother then to my father and will be passed down to my sister and me. The crucifix is a very important item in Puerto Rican culture; it symbolizes deep religious faith as it is used to comfort the family by knowing the house is blessed. The crucifix is placed either above your bed or at the front entrance to your house. It is placed above the bed to protect you while sleeping, and if it's found at the entrance of your home, it is believed to bless you as you walk in and out of your house.At my house, it is placed facing the door as you walk in. Even though my dad isn’t as religious as my grandma, he still felt close to the crucifix as it was one of the things passed down to him when my grandma passed. Religion played a vital role in my grandparents’ everyday life. There were symbols of the Catholic faith around the house such as candles, statues of the holy Mary and Our Lady of Grace, which are just two of many different religious statues. In my grandma’s house, there was an altar with the holy Bible and holy water for my family to pray. Although my father believes in God and considers himself a Christian, he does not practice the Christian faith as he lost connection to his religion after my grandma was no longer there to pray with him and take him to church every Sunday. Regardless of him not practicing Chrstianity, he still has a close connection with the crucifix and what it represents.

– Kyler Gonzalez

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant