Graciela Rios rented one of her rooms as a lab to one scientist who worked with animals. One night she heard strange noises in the cellar. She went to look what it was and saw two giant rats. They escaped from the lab and were eating her provisions. Graciela thanks the Virgin of San Juan because she was able to catch those monsters. And she asked the scientist to work only with plants, otherwise she’d kick him out.

The girl Luisa Gomez was very sad because her puppy had been lost. She was praying a lot to Saint Francis and now thanks him because one mister found her puppy safe and sound and brought it back to her.

Señorita Laura Guzman was attacked by a criminal but she was saved by three cats who jumped on the villain. She thanks the Virgin of San Juan for sending her these divine creatures.

One evening, when I was in the mountains, it started raining very hard. My sheep got so scared they ran and lost me. It brought me a deep sorrow, and I implored to Saint Francis of Assisi with all my faith. Three days later, I found my sheep in the field. They were alright and no one missing. I give thanks for such a big miracle.

Cecilio Perez
Zacapoaxtla, Puebla

When my husband went to work at the north, I felt very lonely at evenings. Then I began to play guitar and sing outside. Little by little my melodies attracted all the cats from our neighborhood. They were captivated by my music. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for this big company I have now.

Matilda Olaldi
Tequila, Jalisco
2nd of October 1982

Pedro Garcia loved to display himself nude on the street. But one day a lady set her dog on him. The dog bit Pedro in the balls, and he was severely injured. He thanks Saint Charbel for everything has healed up, and he promises to amend now when he’s getting out of jail.

September 19, 2017, a terrible earthquake occurred in Mexico. My brother was trapped under the rubble of the building he lived in and which had been collapsed. Few hours later the dog Frida found him, and thanks to her he was saved. With this retablo, I ask Saint Francis of Assisi to protect and look after Frida and other rescue dogs who risk their own lives during the catastrophes to save ours.

Magdalena S.
Mexico City

With all my faith, I dedicate this retablo to Saint James the Apostle for protecting me from being kicked by a bull. I got an angry bull, and only thanks to the saint’s divine intervention nothing serious happened.

Carmelo Trujillo
Guanajuato

During the third bullfight at the arena Plaza Mexico, the Blueyed bull jumped over two barriers right over where we were sitting and almost fell on us. We implored the Angel of Justice and an armed man courageously pushed the bull out. I ordered this retablo for we avoided a tragedy.

Sunday, July 30, 1989

I met my friend Carolina and we started to chat. Suddenly some cats began falling on us. They were fighting on the roof. When they fall they hit a flower pot and it fell on my head. I began to see double after the blow. I saw non-existing tings also, strange buildings, odd people and weird animals. I prayed the Holy Virgin to heal me. I thank her because two days later everything was back to normal.

My restaurant is always full because I am, in all modesty, a great cook. But when I close my place at night, here come my favorite clients—stray cats from the neighborhood. I give them milk and feed them with the leftovers. I thank Saint Francis because during the day I earn money and get praised for my dishes and during the night I receive gratitude and caress.

Because of a bad fight she had had with her husband, the painter Frida was feeling weighed down. I prayed the Virgin of the Solitude, and the painter got better. She found herself happy playing with her pets, and I thank for that.

Alicia Ruiz
Mexico, 1945

Raul Lopez thanks Saint Paschal for he didn’t faint at the moment of sacrificing of the pig for the celebration of his godson. Raul is afraid of blood, but it was him who had the honor of killing the animal according to the tradition.