Folk saints are revered by individuals on the fringes of society or belonging to cultural minorities who often feel unrepresented by canonized saints officially recognized by the church. These saints emerge from local traditions and popular devotion, offering spiritual guidance and protection outside of institutional religious recognition.
For example, La Santa Muerte in Mexico attracts devotion from diverse groups, including the criminal underground, while Santa Clara ng Malinao in the Philippines is venerated for safeguarding communities from natural disasters, especially among locals feeling marginalized or overlooked by official religious structures.