I thank Saint Liberata. When I was performing at the Plaza in Tabasco, the bull Fanfarron got me badly. But I was lucky—I got only one leg amputated and one eye removed. I’m recovering quite quickly so I could back to bullfighting as soon as possible.

I offer this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan for delivering me from death when I was attacked by a bull. Finding myself in this fatal danger I implored to you, and you protected me for my family.

Jose P.
Jalisco, 1990

Virgin of Juquila, thank you for your favors. I miraculously survived after being gored by the bull. I was going cool as a cucumber when the bull attacked me from behind. When he hit me, I went unconscious. Also, I’d like to thank a mister who brought me to his house and tamponed my wounds to stop bleeding. He went for a doctor, and I quickly recovered.

Roque Garcia, 1963

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

The picador Nemesio Gomes thanks Virgin of San Juan with this retablo for his wound has been healed. He was injured when a bull hit him in his butt cheek.

Tlaxcala, 1929

Eufimio Gonzalez thanks his guardian angel for protecting him while he was riding an angry bull. He found himself in danger, prayed to the angel and only got his testicles hurt. But they’re all good now.

Cholula, 1914

That day, February 13, 1944, the bull Zapatero hooked Silverio Perez between his legs and threw him over the head on the ground. Silverio got hurt badly. Then the bull kept dragging him all over the arena. We were all praying the Virgin of Guadalupe for Silverio. We were feeling his pain as ours because he had brought glory to us. We thanks for Silverio is recovered.

His fellow townsmen from Texcoco
May 10, 1944

Virgin of San Juan, thank you for your help. I went to the cattle yard to give some water to Chaparro (The Shorty). That’s how I call my bull because he wouldn’t grow. I didn’t notice he wasn’t tied, and I thought he was sleeping as usual. But the bull chased me and pierced my leg. The wound wasn’t deep but the blow was so strong, I was kicked out of the yard.

Jacinto Felix
Tlaxcala, 1975

Sebastian Ramirez mounted on a very angry bull and hurt his balls. He couldn’t heal them, so he entrusted himself to the Virgin of Guadalupe and everything got cured. He thanks the Virgin and brings her this retablo.

Cholula, 1914

Saint Thomas Aquinas, thank you for your favors. My bull broke the rope and went away. I was looking for him. When I finally found him grazing and tried to lasso him, he attacked me with his horn. Then my father came—he knew I went for our stud bull. Thank to my father and Saint Thomas the bull didn’t kill me.

Grecian Garcia
Tlaxcala, Mexico, 1969

I dedicate this retablo to Saint Francis as a testimony of my eternal gratitude for saving my bulls. There was an epidemic at the farms in our region, and miraculously my cattle was saved. I’ll be always grateful for that.

Margarito Herrera
Nayarit, Mexico

A bull started chasing Ramon Mendoza. Running away, Ramon climbed up a tree, but the bull hit the tree so hard the whole tree shook. Ramon thanks the Virgin of San Juan for the tree was an apple-tree so he could eat apples all that time while the bull was waiting for him down. The bull stayed all day, and only when the dark came some workers helped Ramon. He thanks for that because his legs and arms got numb and he couldn’t stay any longer at the tree.

August 15, 1972