We went to live to a country house that my husband had near Catemaco. The place was beautiful but a little bit wild. One day my parrot flew away and I ran following it flew toward the forest. I was behind it with my baby so I couldn’t go very fast. However, I finally reached it but then I could no longer found the the way back home. We were lost in the middle of nowhere. I got scared, but suddenly many funny monkeys appeared. They guided us by jumping from one branch to another, and they led us to our house. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for this amazing miracle.

Ramiro Castillo participated in the last regional duck hunting competition. From the bottom of his heart, he thanks Saint Patrick with this humble retablo because thanks to his excellent skills and his experience with a riffle he took the first place. He promises to come back the next year and defend his championship.

Tlaxcala, Mexico

Roberto Fernandez became homeless and in order to survive he had to eat pigeons in the park. People looked at him with disgust. He thanks Saint Elias for he managed to get out of this situation.

A grave illness hit the animals. I asked the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe of Mexico to look after my animals. With all my heart, I entrusted my goats, piglets, chicken and asked to not lose our corn field. Since no animal died she thanks offering the present retablo.

Cipriana Garcia
El Progreso, S. L. P., November, 1954

The land in our village was dry. There wasn’t much green around either. But the day Victor and I got married a miracle happened. Everything started flourishing, the fields became green, and hundreds of birds flew over to celebrate our happiness. It was really magical, since the miracle went on. It rained more often, and the crops were abundant. We thank the Virgin of Guadalupe, and we promise to protect our love.

The girl Maria Martinez thanks the Virgin of the Solitude with this retablo for her pet duck’s ducklings hatched out without problems.

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for having a garden, and butterflies and birds in it, and the breeze on my skin, and the sunlight over my face. I know many people live in giant grey cement buildings or in some dry deserted places. They don’t realize what is the silk of the flower petals, or the wind singing through the branches of trees. I’m very lucky and I’m grateful for that.

My husband brought me a beautiful ara parrot from Chiapas. It was so smart, it even learnt to say my name. It wasn’t accustomed to live in the house though, and on the third day it flew away to the field. I went for the parrot and finally found it. However, don’t know how, we ended up in a labyrinth of prickly plants. With the bird in my hand I tried to get out but the thorns didn’t let me out—my clothes and my hair was caught up. In despair, I prayed the Holy Spirit, and then the miracle happened. The plants seemed to open a passage for me and I got out with the parrot without many scratches. My dress was little bit torn though. I give thanks.

My daughter Luisa was afraid of the birds, even the canaries. One day after school, she had to bring something to my friend. At the friend’s house the geese attacked my girl. They chased her. Luisa got scared and prayed to Saint Rosalia. The saint protected her from the angry geese—they managed to bite her only once—in her leg. I dedicate this retablo thanking the saint, because the geese might be very dangerous.

My husband loved his fighting rooster very much. One day he rooster got sick and it greatly saddened my husband. I wasn’t particularly fond of the cock because y husband spent all his time with him giving him a lot of attention. But when I saw how deeply my husband cared for the rooster’s health, I went to the witch doctor. She gave me a potion. We gave it to the rooster, and he recovered quickly after that. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe because my husband was so grateful for saving his rooster he treats me with gifts every day.

I was lost in the desert with my donkey. We were dying from insolation and thirst. Suddenly I saw many angels coming to us. They flew to take us to the heaven. But then I realized they weren’t angels but vultures. I prayed the Virgin of San Juan for help, and some travelers in a truck noticed us. They took us with them and gave us water. I thank the Virgin for saving our lives.

A beautiful colibri flew over to me and told me very pleasant things. I thought I was losing my mind, but no, Holy Virgin.