The first time I met @edsmanifesto_, he sat me down, and showed me a handwritten translation he was carrying of this prayer:
"Blessed Mother, full of grace, listen to the words of this, your humble servant.
Forgive us, Criminals of Purpose, for the sins that we are forced to commit.
Mother the Merciful, bless our firearms with your hand, our knives with your foot, and guide our bullets and stabs with the finger that is closest to your heart.
May we earn your need and be your wrath.
Amen. "
He told me his story and explained the prayer - how his unit carried prayer cards with this prayer and their rendering of Santa Muerte in their boots and armor. They carried them in part to protect their bodies from the cartels and their assassins, partially to protect their souls from themselves and spiritual consequences of their actions.
A couple weeks later, he shared this Santa Muerte image with me - based on the emblem his unit carried, with the extended left foot and the coffin nail referencing their initiation, and incorporating some of Ed's symbols: the broken arrow of war and the snubnose revolver.
It made all the sense in the world to me to resurrect the legendary prayer cards.
I designed these on very fine quality matte black cardstock, embossed in metallic gold or silver, or in glossy black-on-black.
Cards come, either unlaminated (to fit in your wallet), or laminated (to carry in your pocket/shoe/armor).
These cards are fixed with a special Santa Muerte cologne I prepared for this purpose made of roses, black copal, human bones, powdered silver, vulture bones, gunpowder, tobacco, knife dust and more.
When you open the bag, you'll know the difference immediately.