Since my kids moved out I felt very lonely. One day a stray puppy came to my door. I took him, and then I felt so happy. I thank saint Francis for now I have seven dogs. They keep me company and protect the house.

Señor Catarino Pacheco thanks the Merciful Lord with this retablo for saving his life when the earthquake ruined his hut. Only two little pigs were killed in the pigsty.

The writer Herminio Lezama Flores suffered from a writer’s block and couldn’t write anything. But one day a pair of cats came to him. They started visiting him and have brought his inspiration back. He thanks Saint Jude Thaddeus for this noble gesture.

The girl Zuzi speaks with animals. Cure her, Virgin.

I wasn’t a good swimmer, and a sea current dragged me to open sea. I felt lost among this immensity of water. I tried to swim, then tried to scream but nobody heard me. I was doubting that I could survive when suddenly out of nowhere a beautiful dog appeared there, in the middle of the sea. He dragged me to the shore. I could explain this only as a miracle of the Virgin of San Juan who always look after me. I give thanks for this angel who saved me.

My son and I were going from town to town with our donkey selling oranges. One day we decided to take a cut through the desert and got lost. The sun was going down, and we heard hungry coyotes howling. I prayed the Virgin of Zapopan, and suddenly a bird of golden light appeared from the twilight. It guided us to the road to Fresnillo. I infinitely thank for this miracle that saved our lives.

I thank the Virgin Mary because I can finally take bubble baths with my raccoon.

When I went for the money to pay the expenses of my ranch, some bandits began to chase me. The had very good horses compared to my old nag. But by a miracle of the Virgin of Zapopan who put wings on my horse’s legs it ran like never before, and the bandits left behind. I thank for this miracle.

Señor Gustavo Morales finally manage to go to a photo safari and to make photos of many lions which are his passion. He brings the present retablo to Saint Sebastian de Aparicio in gratitude for this favor.

My wife used to sleep with the dogs. Thanks for she dropped this habit.

Dear Foujita, please help me overcome the hurdles that trip me up and give me the strength and wisdom to look up and find comfort in cats and pets in general.

Maria Luque, November 2018

With great humbleness, I dedicate this ex-voto to Saint Francis of Assisi thanking those who support Linda Blair’s WordHeart Foundation. Blessed are those who help the animals because their love will return to them hundredfold.

In the forest, I ran into the magic pegasus. Thanks.