La Santa

La Santa is a secret society within the 'Ndrangheta, a criminal organisation in Calabria (Italy).

The name probably derives from the shortening of mamma santissima. In mafia slang, the expression is used to refer to mafia chiefs. Mamma santissima literally means "most holy mother" and refers to the Virgin Mary, who is regarded as the protector of the 'Ndrangheta.

The Santa was an innovation in the traditional stratification of the 'Ndrangheta introduced in the early 1970s to maximize the power and invisibility of the most important bosses. Security concerns led to the creation of a secret society within the secret society. Membership in the Santa is only known to other members. Contrary to the 'Ndrangheta code, it allowed bosses to establish close connections with state representatives, even to the extent that some were affiliated with the Santa. These connections were often established through the Freemasonry, which the santisti – breaking another rule of the traditional code – were allowed to join.

La Santa, Lanzarote

La Santa is a village in Tinajo, Las Palmas province of western Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.

Coordinates: 29°06′29″N 13°39′58″W / 29.108°N 13.666°W / 29.108; -13.666