When Aurora Valdez was dancing with her snake, it squeezed her so strongly her bones crackled.

Veracruz, November 11, 1944

My daughter Luisa was playing in laundry at the river bank. She slipped on a smooth stone and fell into water. Thanks to Our Lady of the Rosary our dog which is very smart and swims very well was able to save the girl before she drowned. I give thanks to the Holy Virgin.

In times of the Revolution I was unlucky to run into bandits who weren’t satisfied by taking my horse and my belongings but also decided to hang me on a tree. I wholeheartedly entrusted myself to the Virgin of San Juan, and when they left leaving me hanging there the rope miraculously broke down saving my life.

Leandro Garcia ~ San Luis Potosi, Mexico

My sister and I went to the desert to pick peyote because our grandfather wanted to do his ceremony but his rheumatism didn’t let him walk. We picked a full basket of peyote but then we couldn’t find the way back. Night fell, and we were tired and scared. I invoked the Holy Heart, and that moment a deer appeared. He was shining in the darkness, and we followed him, and he led us to the road to our house. We thank for this light creature that saved us.

Don Roque’s dog was a wild beast. One day my girl got in his yard, and the animal jumped on her. But after snugging her the dog didn’t do anything. I know it was a miracle by Saint Quiteria’s protection.

Doña Teodosia Vallejo
Perote, 1955

I, Cristian Nava, pay with this retablo for delivering me from animals that got in my room. They scared me a lot because I’m all alone and so fragile.

Tijuana, 1972

We had to go to the town to sell milk. But some devils began to bother our donkey, and the poor thing didn’t know what to do. I implore the Virgin of Zapopan who came to help us. She made the donkey shake the annoying devils off and give them a couple of kicks afterwards. The demons ran away from this attack, and we could go sell our milk which miraculously didn’t spill.

Thanks for the virus didn’t do anything to us. The piglets chased it away.

1931, in the town of Santa Ana, Leonardo Rivera found himself in grave danger when he was seriously gored by the bull. He entrusted himself to Saint Pancras, and his wound was healed. He gives infinite thanks with this retablo.

Virgin of San Juan, I offer you this exvoto for protecting me from dying when I was trying my luck and fell off the camel. I’m grateful for that.

Julieta Molina, the Untamable
April 1996, Chetumal

I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan for the success I had this season with Tania the elephant and her marvelous act that won the audience.

Celeste Atayde
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Season 1980, “Atayde” circus

I, Montse Rios, give infinite thanks to the Souls for possessing my cat and telling me that the pie I cooked for my boyfriend Hector was burning.

Mexico City, 2019

Alfonsina Mendez was born with a monkey face, and an orangutan fell in love with me.

Mexico, 1974