Rev. Marco Candelaria is a LUWONGO means "avuelo de prenda, godfather of Foundation of Cauldrons within Palo Mayombe " The Highest grade of the Structure."  he is also a registered minister for the state of New York.  As stated by his father and teacher – “we are born in fire and at the end will die in fire” Palo Mayombe is the fire of transformation that will change your life. 

Hailing for generations from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, also known as “Barrio Candelaria”, my family was a vibrant mix of Paleros, Santeros and Espiritistas which spanned well into the Continental United States. My rich spiritual lineage exposed me to an array of esoteric philosophies and rituals that moved me. None spoke more to me than Palo Mayombe. 

Born and raised in New York, I remember a happy childhood full of games and mischief. Unexpectedly, in (insert year), my family decided to move back to Puerto Rico to start a better, simpler life. By that time, I had forged a close relationship with my Godfather and close friend of my father’s. To my surprise and complete disappointment, my brother was allowed to stay behind to be raised by my Godfather while I was forced to uproot all that I had ever known since I was too young to stay. The change was a traumatic event.  

Living in Puerto Rico however, introduced me to a broader perspective on life and created the causes and conditions for me to follow my destiny. When I was 13, my father, Lucas Candelaria, took me to the “Fiesta De Oya” also known as the “Fiesta De La Virgen de la Candelaria.” On February 2, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, bonfires are lit or “candelarias” where anything useless in your home and life are burned. I was enamored by the acts of purification and devotion to my name sake- Our Lady of Candelaria AKA Queen Of The Cemetery. - bonfires, candles and beauty in this festival moved me tremendously. It was at this feast that I meet a little old man at the botanica store doing things with his hands  i thought were amazing. He sat me down at no cost he gave my first reading.  He said to me that i will be working with Legions of lost souls in very large table, he said that i will be in Spiritual Warfare for most of my life, and that my enemies i will tremble to the sound of my march, and that my " Prayers will be like the powerful sounds of trumpets so loud that the walls of my enemies will tremble and fall.” and that soon i be travailing very far away to fulfill my destiny and calling.

Little did I know at that time, my brother was running the biggest house of Palo on the whole east coast with my Godfather.  After my reading, and buying half the store, I left happy and confident that I would be reunited with my brother and Godfather very soon. 

Six months later, the little old man’s prophecy came true. my Godfather came to Puerto Rico to visit my father. He took one look at me and had a sit down with my Father and explained to him the reason i painted a graveyard on my bedroom walls which i think came out really nice, yet my parents thought i was losing my mind.  My father decided “this boy needs to go back home …. this boy has a calling.” At that time, I was driving my father crazy and my Godfather knew very well that I needed special care and attention to manifest my powers and special abilities. “If not,” my Godfather declared, “this boy is going to lose his mind!” At first, my parents were reluctant to let me go, however, they realized that my path was not going to be Santeria or Espiritismo…my path was Palo. The year was 1980 and till this day I remember my Godfather taking my hand as I boarded the plane. I looked back and my mother and father were waving frantically and crying. I cried too – tears of joy. I couldn’t believe that I was finally headed back home with a man I respected and revered so much he like a second father – a man graced with supernatural power and uncontested compassion. he shortly thereafter became my Godfather or “Padrino” at the age 15 and for the past 40 years today,  ive reached The Highest grade of the Structur LUWONGO in 2021