Thank you, Virgin of the Solitude, because you were near in the moments of anxiety on the day I decided to terminate my pregnancy which was the result of a rape. When I got out of the hospital I felt peaceful. I’m sure you protect me in your great mercy.

Luisa, 29 years — Oaxaca

Our Lady of the Solitude, I’m going to give you thanks for sending me the cure which I asked you for so much finding myself in such a horrible trouble when I was told they were going to cut off my tit because of a torturing pain. In this grief, I entrusted myself to you and was cured in time avoiding this dangerous surgery. Now I’m healthy again and back to work.

Merced, Mexico City, 2003

I give thanks to the Holy Virgin of the Solitude because Joaquin, my lover, could escape before my husband arrived avoiding a trouble. Now I appreciate my husband, and, from the bottom of my heart, I ask for forgiveness.

Mexico City, April 15, 1974
Gloria Lua M.

A headless woman came to me, but I entrusted myself to the Virgin, and she went away.

Maria offers this retablo to the Virgin of the Solitude because Felipe asked my hand in marriage. My father wanted me to marry don ***, the storekeeper. I prayed to you because I was in love with Felipe, and now we are together.

Celaya, Guanajuato, May 1929

The Romero Fernandez family thank the Virgin of the Solitude with this retablo for the trip to Holland. It was their life dream, and it came true.

My husband left me and went to the United States, and I didn’t get any news from him. I was left alone in this big city, without money. I began to work as a prostitute in the Merced district. I ask the Virgin of the Solitude to protect me.

The desperate one — June 7, 2000

My damned crested rooster was eating my plants. I wanted to scare him off but got frightened myself instead when he almost pecked out my boy’s eyes. In despair, I implored the Virgin of the Solitude for help. Fortunately nothing bad happened. I thank for that and dedicate this.

Panchita Lopez V.
Chavinda, Michoacan, 1962

Delfina Rosas dedicates this retablo to the Virgin of the Solitude thanking her for fulfilling her dream—to participate in the celebrations of the Guelaguetza this year. It’s so exciting to be a part of such an important and beautiful Oaxacan tradition.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Mr. Joaquin was very rude to his neighbors, One day they put a rocket in his postbox. He thanks the Virgin of the Solitude with this retablo for he didn’t get injured and promises to be more polite with everyone.

I give you my thanks, Virgin of the Solitude. Thanks to your mercy I was saved. I fell while surfing. I was covered by the big wave and lost my conscious. But thanks to the Virgin’s miracle I was saved in time and I avoided terrible consequences.

Augusto Peña Aragon
Zicatela, Oaxaca, August 10, 1969

Our family had financial problems but the Virgin of the Solitude inspired me to sell the flowers from my garden at the market. Now I’m happy because I cover our expenses by growing and selling flowers which I enjoy greatly.

Thank you, Holy Virgin, for saving my son Felipe’s life. When he was leaving a mass he was shot by his friend who was drunk. He had been told that his wife had been cheating on him with Felipe.

Maria
1930, Varrio de la Soledad