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Some 144,000 Filipina women, most of whom are Catholic, work in Hong Kong, mainly as househelp. Many spend hours of their one day off a week in church and prayer meetings.

In San Salvador especially, the design of churches is quite varied. Because the region is in an earthquake zone, few churches date back more than 100 years. Churches typically are designed in painted concrete, whether as variations on traditional Italian and Spanish designs, or modernist alternatives.

The grotto inside the ruins of the original Nuestra Señora de la Asunción church in Izalco, El Salvador marks the graves of thousands of peasants killed by the army in reprisal for the indigenous peasant uprising in 1932.

Salvadorans are a warm and welcoming people, but their country is plagued by a history of violence. As a result, Salvadoran Catholicism often values remembrance of martyrdom, whether in the form of traditional religious piety or remembrance of martyrs of the 1980s civil war.

Most music in Salvadoran churches features guitars and stringed instruments. Organ music is rare. Salvadorans tend to move very little and not to gesticulate much at Mass, though they do move around to one another at the kiss of peace.

Faith is commonly advertised in public, whether through murals, bumper stickers, rosaries in cars, and crèche scenes. Religious jewelry, however, is not as common.

Roadside crosses and localized shrines honor martyrs and victims of violence and accidents.

About one-third of Salvadorans live outside the country. The country’s population density is the highest in Latin America, and with few natural resources and high unemployment, migration is sometimes the only route to economic opportunity.

On New Year's Eve, the Niño Dios de María is processed around town and then to the throne, where it is placed in the second floor for viewing. Cofradía festivities follow with music, dancing and fireworks.

This largest confraternity takes the leading role in Lenten and Holy Week commemorations with processions held throughout the 40 days of Lent.