With the arrival of Spanish colonizers in Puerto Rico, many new laws and forms of social organization were imposed on the local Taínos and, later, on the African slaves. One of these was Catholicism. Over the years, formal Catholic traditions sanctioned by the Church evolved alongside beliefs and practices from other cultures, especially those of Africa.

In its early colonial years, Puerto Rico had very few priests. This made the establishment of church ritual and other rules very difficult, especially in remote areas. Rural Puerto Ricans consequently created their own distinctive religious observances and practices. They often worshipped at home, their altars filled with devotional objects carved by local artisans.