Poetry. Anthology. Latin American Studies. RENAMING ECSTACY brings together poets who have explored experiences of the sacred in ways that are unique to the Latin American culture and highlights the richness and complexity of Latino spiritual life. Because of Latin America's mestizaje of cultures, traditional Catholicism exists alongside other practices of African or indigenous origin. In their invocation of the divine, poets of Caribbean origin draw inspiration from the myths and practices of Santeria. Others write devoutly about topics that engage Latino Catholics: the matters of religious vocation and those devotional practices that connect individuals to the community and give shape to their daily lives. The collection features poetry by Benjamin Alire Saenz, Victor Hernandez Cruz, Demetria Martinez, Orlando Ricardo Menes, and Virgil Suarez, among others.

Author City: EL PASO, TX USA

Benjamin Alire Sáenz—novelist, poet, and writer of children's books—was named one of the "Fifty Most Inspiring Authors in the World" by Poets & Writers magazine. He was also a finalist for PEN/USA's literary award for children's and young adult literature. Sáenz received the American Book Award and teaches in the bilingual MFA program at University of Texas, El Paso.