I thank the Virgin of San Juan for saving my fiancée from dying from a heart attack right at the altar during our wedding.

Jose Luis Jimenez Valdez
San Miguel de Allende
October 5, 1979

I dedicate this retablo to the always Holy Virgin of Guadalupe. The Night of the Dead, I was glad I’d been able to collect some money to put up my altar with lot of offerings, including even mole and pulque. At the last moment, a sparkle fell on me and I was taken by fire immediately, but thanks to the Virgin’s intervention nothing happened.

Eulalia Garcia

The Day of the Dead, I made an altar in honor of my late husband. And the Virgin made a miracle. My husband himself came to see it. I was lucky to be with him again, even it was for a few seconds. I thank for having seen my husband again—so handsome and happy.

The night of the Day of Dead, I woke up to drink a glass of water and got very frightened seeing the dead eating the food from the altar we made in honor of my grand-mother. I prayed Saint Michael the Archangel so that he would rest their souls. And right that moment, they disappeared. I dedicate this retablo in gratitude.

Teofilo Guzman
Tlaxcala, 1958

The night before Day of the Dead, I woke up to drink a glass of milk. What a great fear I had when I saw a dead man eating from the altar we’d made for my grandfather. I implored the Lord of the Wonders so he would take and rest this soul. He heard my prayers, and it disappeared immediately.

Filiberto Cordero
Puebla, 1952

To all saints!

Jacinta Valladares made a Day of the Dead altar for her dead relatives. The altar became so beautiful that the Dead herself came to look at it. Jacinta was very scared when she saw the Grim reaper in her home, and she promised to offer a retablo to the Virgin of Guadalupe if she’d save her of being take by the bonny Death. The Virgin put a light ray, and the Dead went away. Jacinta completes her promise with this retablo.

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

Aniceto Romero
Puebla, Puebla

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for the opportunity to arrange a beautiful altar for my late grandparents, uncles and aunts for the Day of the Dead. In this way I can tell them that there is a lot of their essence is still around and they aren’t completely dead because we remember them and we offer to them flowers, food and candles to tell how we love them.

When my husband Juan Jose died, I was sad and couldn’t find any consolation. We loved each other so much, and I couldn’t stand the thought of not seeing him again. I asked the Virgin to let me see him. And she gave me that. So now every Day of the Dead, I put the altar and bring the offerings, and then my husband appears for a few seconds. So I can keep his image in my memory and find strength to live on without him.

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