Vodou Lwa, Voodoo Spirits and Catholic Saint Counterparts

The Vodou Lwa, Voodoo Spirits and their Catholic Saint counterparts.  Who were the Vodou Lwa most closely syncretized to when they came to the new world in the New Orleans Voodoo tradition and in the Haitian Vodou religion?

This section serves as a basic primer of the Voodoo Spirits, the Vodou Lwa and their Catholic counterparts.  These are the most common Catholic Saints traditionally associated with the Vodou spirits as found within the Haitian Vodou religion, New Orleans Voodoo traditions and other spiritual paths of the African traditional religions as represented at Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.

The following overview of the Voodoo spirits and their Catholic counterparts are not intended to replace the vast history or the culturally rich, and complex theology. Instead, this is to provide general foundational concepts as to which Catholic Saints the Vodou Lwa are most closely associated with due to the African diaspora (slave trade) and acquaint you with the power and beauty of the mysteries of Vodou.

You can learn more about the history of the Vodou tradition and syncretizing their divine Vodou spirits from Africa to the New World due with these expertly written articles on the History of Vodou, Roots of Vodou, New Orleans Voodoo History, History of Louisiana Voodoo and All About Vodou within in our Voodoo Articles section.

More comprehensive information on the Voodoo Spirits and their Catholic Saint Counterparts can found within our Vodou App available on app on iTunes & Google Play.  If you wish to discuss the Vodou tradition, this spiritual path and how the Vodou can assist you with your spiritual needs, our initiated practitioners are always available for a spiritual consultation. Alafia from all of us at Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans!

As we address in our history of the Louisiana Voodoo Religion and New Orleans Voodoo:

The origins of Louisiana Voodoo and New Orleans Voodoo remain the subject of controversy, with much conflicting information available. One thing is certain, however: Louisiana Voodoo and New Orleans had the most African-influenced slave culture in colonial America. Thus, many traditions survived that were elsewhere eradicated. New Orleans also had more oversight from the Catholic Church than Haiti, where the revolution allowed practice to continue unmolested.

However, with the purchase of Louisiana by the United States in 1803, much of the religious expression went underground while more practical work could continue in private. Further, slaves were prohibited by religious laws from working on Sundays where they were relegated to gather in Place Congo or better known as Congo Square.

While more public Voodoo rituals took place there, slaves seeking further privacy worshiped in other places such as Lake Pontchartrain and Bayou St. John. These locations displayed more traditional practice than the performance-oriented Congo Square rituals. After the Haitian Revolution of 1804, Voodoo was suppressed due to the fear of slave uprisings.

Voodoo and the Catholic Saints:

In New Orleans, many traditional Voodoo altars are decorated with Catholic saints. This is because, to avoid persecution, many practitioners syncretized the Lwa and Orisha with the saints. This practice has also led to the incorrect belief that Voodoo is descended from Catholicism, even though the African religions it is based on predate Christianity by thousands of years.  Here are some of the more sought after and renowned Vodou Lwa and their Catholic Saint counterparts for your reference and to petition for your Voodoo Spells and Rituals:

Voodoo Lwa and their Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion:

Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Papa Legba, the Divine Messenger and Road Opening and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Peter by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Papa Legba, the Divine Messenger and Road Opening and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Peter by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Papa Legba, the Divine Messenger and Road Opening and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Lazarus by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Papa Legba, the Divine Messenger and Road Opening and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Lazarus by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Papa Legba, the Divine Messenger and Road Opening and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Anthony by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Papa Legba, the Divine Messenger and Road Opening and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Anthony by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Erzulie-Freda, the Lwa of Love & Passion and the Catholic Saint Counterpart Mater Dolorosa by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Erzulie-Freda, the Lwa of Love & Passion and the Catholic Saint Counterpart Mater Dolorosa by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Erzulie-Freda, the Lwa of Love & Passion and the Catholic Saint Counterpart Our Lady of Sorrows by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Erzulie-Freda, the Lwa of Love & Passion and the Catholic Saint Counterpart Our Lady of Sorrows by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Ogoun Badagris, the Warrior Spirit and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. James by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Ogoun Badagris, the Warrior Spirit and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. James by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Ogoun Balendjo, the Warrior Spirit and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Philip by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Ogoun Balendjo, the Warrior Spirit and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Philip by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Ogoun Feray, the Warrior Spirit and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. George by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Ogoun Feray, the Warrior Spirit and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. George by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Ogoun Badagris, the Warrior Spirit and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Jacques (Sen Jak) by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Ogoun Badagris, the Warrior Spirit and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Jacques (Sen Jak) by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Agwe, Sovereign of the Sea and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Ulrich by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Agwe, Sovereign of the Sea and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Ulrich by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa LaSiren, Divine Water Spirit, wife of Agwe, Sovereign of the Sea and the Catholic Saint Counterpart Our Lady Star of the Sea by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa LaSiren, Divine Water Spirit, wife of Agwe, Sovereign of the Sea and the Catholic Saint Counterpart Our Lady Star of the Sea by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Ayizan, the Priestess and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Lucy by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Ayizan, the Priestess and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Lucy by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Damballah, the Father Lwa and wife, Ayida-Wedo and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Patrick by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Damballah, the Father Lwa and wife, Ayida-Wedo and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Patrick by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Erzulie-Dantor, the Great Mother Lwa and the Catholic Saint Counterpart Our Lady of Prompt Succor by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Erzulie-Dantor, the Great Mother Lwa and the Catholic Saint Counterpart Our Lady of Prompt Succor by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Erzulie-Dantor, the Great Mother Lwa and the Catholic Saint Counterpart Our Lady of Czestochowa (the Black Madonna) by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Erzulie-Dantor, the Great Mother Lwa and the Catholic Saint Counterpart Our Lady of Czestochowa (the Black Madonna) by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Simbi, the Magi and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Christopher by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Simbi, the Magi and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Christopher by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Marassa, the Divine Twins and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Cosmas & St. Damian by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Marassa, the Divine Twins and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Cosmas & St. Damian by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Baron Samedi and the Ghede and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Expedite by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Baron Samedi and the Ghede and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Expedite by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Baron Samedi and the Ghede and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Gerard by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Baron Samedi and the Ghede and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Gerard by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Manman Bridgette and the Ghede and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Catherine by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans.
Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Manman Bridgette and the Ghede and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Catherine by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.

We sincerely hope this introduction on the Vodou Lwa, Voodoo Spirits and their Catholic Saint Counterparts assists you with exploring the many expertly written articles on the Voodoo religion through the Erzulie’s website, and any future journey of discovering the magical and mysterious world of Vodou!  To learn more about the Vodou religion, Vodou rituals and Vodou altars & shrines, download our comprehensive Vodou app available on iTunes & Google Play. Alafia from all of us at Erzulie’s!