Santos and Woodcraft

This is San Albino as we Hispanos call him. San Albino aka St. Albinus, was a Bishop who helped the homeless, the poor, orphaned children and widows. He ransomed for slaves. Who or what kind of people the slaves were, I do not know,but it arouses my curiosity. This is the beautiful part of my art/craft. I love to research and read. I try to learn as much as I possibly can, on the angels,saints, often martyrs, which I seek to carve or paint. The stories of their lives are often very beautiful and I admire their faith and goodness.A special family from Dona Ana County, requested I try to create a San Albino. I loved the idea and the opportunity, because San Albino is special for my own family. My grandfather was name after the saint, as was a dear uncle. Long ago we Hispanos were often given our namby our Godparents (padrinos) using the saints day, upon which we were born unto. In Old Mesilla, NM we have a San Albino Church. It is so named because Marchthe first was the day upon which the waters from the Rio Grande were first carried in the acequias to the Mesilla farms. Of course, the first of March is San Albino's feast day.

My Grandfather Albino is the one with the cartridge belt. The man in front is my great grandfather surrounded by three of his sons. The Parra family originates from the Rio Grande in Dona Ana and migrating to a place that used to be known as San Ysidro, New Mexico.