On the Day of the Dead, I went out to see if my son was coming home from school. Since our home was beside the cemetery, I found out that the skeletons left their graves. They were very happily walking down the street. All the people in the town hid in the houses. We thank the Virgin of Guadalupe because the next day the skeletons came back to the cemetery and rested in peace.

I want to thank God and the Virgin of Guadalupe with this ex-voto because it’s time for the Day of the Dead. Every year I make an altar in memory of my late husband Rogaciano. My heart is filled with joy when I feel the presence of his soul. I am overwhelmed with emotions.

Agripina Gonzalez
Rancho Two Brothers, Jalisco, Mexico
November 2, 1962

November 2, on the Day of the Dead, the ghost of my buddy appeared to me protesting because I had approached to his wife. I thank Saint Jude Thaddeus for protection and promise to behave good.

Proculo A.
1924

On the night of November 2, 1982, my girlfriend Lupita and I went to a date to the cemetery, because my mother-in-law didn’t permit to Lupita to have suitors. We were alone chatting, when suddenly some skeletons appeared. They were dancing and playing some instruments. We got scared and promised not to come to the cemetery ever again. Thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe we didn’t get sick and we even get married. So now we’re happy.

Amador Ramirez
El Aguila, Jalisco

It was November 2. I went to the cemetery to visit my late friends. I was tired and fell asleep. To my surprise, when I awoke, I found myself surrounded by skeletons who were eating the offerings. I was scared and rushed out from the cemetery. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Casimiro Alvarez
Guanajuato

Inocencio Tapia was drinking in the bar. He had so much mezcal, he started to see skeletons. They surrounded him, and one of them asked: “Why are you alone?” It was Death in person who tried to grab him. Inocencio gives thanks to Saint Michael for he managed to run away safe and sound and not kicked the bucket. It happened on November 2. Inocencio promises to behave well.

Tlaxcala

November 2, I was frightened when I saw a dead man eating from the offerings we had put in honor of my grandfather. I prayed to St. James The Apostle so that he would make this dead man rest in peace. He heard my prayers right away, and the dead man disappeared on the instant. I offer this retablo for that.

Filiberto Lopez
Tabasco

I made big offerings to my late aunts, uncles and grandparents for the Day of the Dead. It was so nicely arranged and displayed, that even dead men came to look at it. The problem was that the dead men weren’t my relatives and I didn’t know them. I was frightened and I prayed to the Virgin of Guadalupe. She calmed the ghosts and sent them away, and they didn’t return.

On the Day of the Dead, I was walking through the cemetery when I met a ghost. The ghost started chasing me, so I instantly sobered up from fear. I prayed to Saint Francis to whom I’m thankful because the ghost didn’t catch me and I arrived home alive.

Puebla, 1931