The Saints of Santa Ana Test Bank: Exam Prep for Mexican-American Studies

Catholicism in Flux: Examining the Role of Faith in Mexican-American Identity

Catholicism has long been a cornerstone of ethnic Mexican identity in the United States, but recent shifts have challenged this traditional association. Evangelical Protestantism has emerged as a notable alternative, offering a distinct expression of ethnic identity for Mexican-Americans.

Exploring the Faith of Mexican Immigrants in Santa Ana

Jonathan E. Calvillo takes readers into the thriving Mexican-majority neighborhoods of Santa Ana, California, a city once dubbed the hardest place to live in the U.S. Through five years of participant observation and in-depth interviews, Calvillo explores how faith shapes the ethnic identity of Mexican immigrants.

Comparing Catholic and Evangelical Perspectives

The Saints of Santa Ana compares the experiences of Catholic and Evangelical Mexican immigrants, the two largest religious groupings in the city. Drawing on extensive research, Calvillo argues that religious affiliations set Catholics and Evangelicals along diverging trajectories with regard to ethnic identity.

Key findings include differing perspectives on collective memory and ethnic community, highlighting the complex relationship between faith and ethnicity. This rich portrait of a fascinating American community offers valuable insights for scholars, instructors, and students of Mexican-American studies.