I thank the Virgin of Sorrows because, in spite of our poverty, we managed to put an altar for my father-in-law who, although he was a Jehovah’s witness, was born Catholic and enjoyed hojaldras pastries. Thank you, Holy Virgin, for interceding for him with Saint Peter so he would open the gates and let him pass, although he didn’t believe in you. Señora Santa Trinidad from Ocotepec, Morelos, ordered Emmanuel Espintla to paint this exvoto.

November 2, 2019

My son and I are from the United States, but we love Mexican culture, especially everything related to the traditions of the Day of the Dead. I’m infinitely grateful to Saint Christopher, with this exvoto, for we managed to travel to the Mexico City and enjoyed the parade of Katrinas and skeletons. It was a very beautiful and colorful experience.

I offer this retablo to the Divine Child of Atocha for the received favor of making my mother-in-law Chonita fall asleep while she was looking after the altar for the dead. She slept so deeply that I managed to eat a pastry. Pancracio Duran gives thanks.

Tehuixtla, Morelos
Painted by E. Espin P., November 1, 2014

We salute sr. Malverde at the feast of the Skull.

Every November 2, I go to the cemetery to visit my dead father and to bring him flowers and candles. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe with this retablo for, despite the modern age and the passage of time, this beautiful tradition didn’t go away. We remember our dear ones who are not with us physically anymore, and it gives us hope to see them again one day.

San Andres Mixquic, Mexico

I thank Saint Peter for letting Salome Pineda who died in a car accident to come and eat the offerings on October 28, the day of the killed. I told her how much I love her and that she shouldn’t worry and that I look after her two sons from her third marriage.

The cuckold, 28–10–2000

Inocencio Fernandez was in the bar, being well drunk after a lot of mezcal. He began to see many skeletons. They came close to him, and one of them asked “Why you are alone?” It was the Death in person who tried to take him. He thanks Saint Michael for he could escape safe and sound, running out of the bar, before dying on that November 2. He promised to amend his ways.

Tlaxcala, Mexico

I give thanks to Saint Jude Thaddeus for letting me to put my offerings once again this year. It’s very important for me to never forget my beloved ones, and I fell them even closer to me during these All Saints’ feasts. I know they are happy to come and enjoy what I put, with great love, to their altar.

Adelaida Reyes ~ Oaxaca, Mexico

The Day of the Dead, I decided to put an altar for my recently deceased wife and I cooked her favorite dishes. At night I heard some voice calling me. I went to the sitting-room and I saw, to my astonishment, that it was my wife scolding me for bad cooking and oversalting the food. I thank Saint Michael the Archangel for it was only that night when I saw my grumpy complaining wife, since she was also unbearable when she was alive.

Aniceto Ruiz ~ Puebla

On All Saints’ night, I was walking down the street and suddenly saw a ghost carriage approaching me. To my great fear, I heard the driver inviting me to take a ride with him. I prayed to the Holy Lord of Chalma to help me, and eventually the ghost disappeared. I bring this retablo for such a great miracle.

Rosendo Hernandez \ Zacatecas, Mexico

November 2, Fidencio and Laureano Trejo went to the cemetery to drink and met a mister who sat on a grave. He wanted to give them a chest full of gold so they would keep enjoying their sin, but suddenly the brothers realized it was a dead man who was speaking with them. They implored Saint Benedict for help to protect them and not to let anything happen to them. They promise to cut down on booze and respect the dead.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Every November 2, I go to the cemetery to visit my dead father and to bring him flowers and candles. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe with this retablo for, despite the modern age and the passage of time, this beautiful tradition didn’t go away. We remember our dear ones who are not with us physically anymore, and it gives us hope to see them again one day.

San Andres Mixquic, Mexico

I decided to put offerings for my late wife on the Day of the Dead and prepared her favorite dishes. On that night I heard someone calling me. When I came to the kitchen I saw that it was my wife telling me off because the food was too salty. I thank God for it was only one time that night when I saw my grumpy wife again because she was unbearable in real life.