Bless Me Ultima

Ultima is an elderly healer with her own spiritual beliefs. Ultima has much experience in what she does, and that makes her a hard worker and a strong person. "Her face was old and wrinkled, but her eyes were clear and sparkling, like the eyes of a young child." (12). Ultima treats everyone with respect and she also helps Antonio get through in life. Ultima has respect for many religions as well as what she believes in.

Throughout the story, Ultima's religious beliefs are questioned by Antonio and many others. Antonio grows to accept her beliefs. In the book, Ultima is asked many times to lift curses and heal the sick, and she never said no. Ultima is respected highly in the story from when she first came. She helped out with the house chores and everyone was glad when she moved in.

Ultima is seen as being in between two Catholic traditions. She knows that life and spirituality can be viewed in more than one way. Though the Catholic Church does not like Ultima because of her healing powers, Ultima respects the Catholic faith and usually attends mass. Ultima tries to teach Antonio about making his own decisions, and not letting others do it for him.

For example, when Ultima is lifting the curse off of Lucas, she does not force Antonio to help her, but she just explains to him what is going to happen and lets him decide what he wants to do. At the end of the book, Ultima treats Antonio differently when she asks him to bury her owl, which could be known as her own spirit.