— tagged with “altar”

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

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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

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

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

I thank the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe for letting me put offerings to my dead. I saved some money for everything—mole, tequila, sweets, flowers, tamale. I beg for my dear ones so they rest in peace and find eternal light.

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My mother told me not to eat the offerings we put to my grandfather on the Day of the Dead because if I do eat he would come at night and grab my legs. I didn’t believe it and I secretly ate some pastry from the altar. That night I was woken by my grandfather’s spirit. He was very angry and scolded me. I prayed the Lord of the Wonders, and little by little the spirit disappeared. For that I promise not to be so naughty and gluttonous.

Luisito Rodriguez ~ Puebla, Mexico

A miracle made by Saint Quiteria of Frexeiras to my son in 1977. I bring him to your altar as I promised.

Jose Clodoaldo da Silva, September 2009
Palmas, Tocantins

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— tagged with and , and #

A young womanizer Genaro Ramirez lived his life surrounded by women. But when he decided to get married he had a heart attack and fell before the altar. The death caught up with him, his bride will never forget him.

July 13, 1960, Morelia, Michoacan

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Ofelia Martinez thanks the Child of Atocha with this retablo for she made good sales and saved enough money for a beautiful altar in honor of her late son.

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— tagged with and , #

Holy Child of the Virgin of Help, thank you for helping me out that night, on November 1. I didn’t make an altar for all the faithful departed. When I went to sleep the Death himself dressed as Catrina visited me. I pretended to be asleep and prayed to you, divine Child, until the Death was gone.

Yucatan, Mexico, 1932

When my husband died I felt devastated. I prayed the Virgin of Guadalupe to let me see my husband one more time. On the Day of the Dead, I was making my husband’s altar and suddenly I saw a ghost. At first, I was terribly frightened but then I felt happy of seeing my husband. Although it lasted few seconds and his figure wasn’t very clear, I’m infinitely grateful.