Carolina Ortega came to sleep at her boyfriend’s apartment, and the next morning his dog didn’t recognized her and bit her buttock. She thanks Saint Helen for her boyfriend didn’t kill the dog since it wasn’t the animal’s fault.

The elephant Cecy escaped but with your help, Holy Virgin, we managed to control her.

I offer this retablo to the Zacacalco Crucifix for helping me with the agaves. After selling my pulque I could buy this mule that helps me to deliver more orders in and out of the town. There are a lot of orders now. Bless my work as a pulque gatherer, give me strength and health.

Eligio Chavez
San Cristobal Zacacalco, Hidalgo
May 17, 1960

My goat was tangled up in the wires, and the vultures were going to kill her. But thanks to the Holy Virgin nothing happened to her.

1971

My husband and I were riding to the La Aurora ranch to show her new grandson to my mother-in-law, doña Eulalia. On our way the clouds darkened the sky, and the thunderstorm began. Suddenly a lighting hit a tree just in front of us. We thank the Holy Virgin of Zapopan for protecting us. The lightning didn’t hurt us and only burnt my husband’s eyelashes. The baby got scared, but we arrived to La Aurora safe and sound.

A squirrel invasion was eating fruits from my trees, and I didn’t know how to get rid of them. I prayed the Virgin of Zapopan so she would drive them away. The generous Virgin made a miracle, and the squirrels went to invade the Nicanor Ramos’ garden and never came back.

The neighborhood cats didn’t let Ana Maria Martinez sleep because they sang their serenades every night. She prayed to Saint Francis, and the cats have stopped bothering her. She thanks for that.

Rafael Calderon was very cruel with the horses, and it ended with a tremendous horse-kick that sent him to the hospital. He thanks Saint Francisco of Assisi for the recovery and promises to treat the animals better.

I was hanging my laundry on when my daughter went to the river and was taken by the current. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because a dog appeared from nowhere and brought my daughter to the shore. After that the dog ran away. I know that dog was an angel sent by the Virgin to save my daughter.

The Martinez’ cat died, and the children were very sad. Their relatives saw how inconsolable they are and started to give them kittens. The children thank the Virgin of San Juan for now they have six cute kittens. They’re very happy, and their parents also love new kittens.

I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because I can support, feed and even sometimes spoil my cats. And they give me their love and keep me company.

When I fell overboard, I was saved by a dolphin. Thanks.

April 1969

The lion tamer Zamudio Rodriguez brings the present retablo to Saint James the Apostle for protecting him every night during his act at the circus. Those three ferocious beats he tames have never attacked him so far.

Jalisco, 1967