Boston Santero Steve Quintana Interviewed

November 4, 2004

Source: The Boston Globe

On October 21, 2004 The Boston Globe reported on the Santeria temple at the home of Santero Steve Quintana, "Quintana is the godfather of Santeria in Greater Boston...   In their quest to reconnect with their indigenous roots here, many immigrants have turned to Quintana as a spiritual resource, whether they hail from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Brazil, or Cape Verde. To his followers, Quintana is a healer, a mentor, a liaison to the saints... Quintana works to bring the religion out of its closet. He also wants to dispel misconceptions about the religion... 'This is a healing faith," he says... 'My goal is to bring the religion out in the open so we could be proud of it and so others can respect it...It's been hidden for many many years. We're trying to make sure people understand the religion itself. They think we are doing evil or wrong to others. We are not. This is Mother Nature's religion.''"