Guillermo Gonzalez was sent by his boss to Veracruz to measure some lands. He went by horse. Because it was very hot, he stopped to take a short rest by the river. He fell asleep and heard a voice in his dream that was calling him. He woke up and saw three crocodiles ready to attack him. He’s sure it was the Virgin of Guadalupe who warned him in his dream, and he thanks for saving him.

Tecolulta, Veracruz, 1955

Andre was at the beat when the men heard a noise outside & found a huge crocodile blocking their exit. He thanks the Blessed Saint Freddy Mercury that everyone escaped without injury & without being arrested for public nudity. He vows to only visit beats far from the waterline in future.

Andre, Darwin, 2019

I went to the river to do the laundry and fell asleep on the riverbank because it was nice and fresh over there. I was dreaming of a handsome man who looked me right in the eyes while talking about love. Then I woke up, and it was a crocodile who was looking straight at me. It was very close. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for giving me fast reflexes. I instantly got up and ran far away before the animal did something to me. Later I came back for the clothes, and I thank for the crocodile didn’t eat them.

Margarito Navas dedicates this retablo because I was attacked by the crocodile woman. She wanted to attack me and tear my eyes out but I escaped.

Mexico, March 14, 1984

I, Atilano Ramirez, give thanks because I escaped from the attack of a three-headed crocodile.

Tabasco, July 10, 1939

I was coming back from fishing in my boat when I accidentally got myself into a part of lake I didn’t know well. Suddenly I stumbled upon three huge crocodiles. I got very scared because I had nothing to defend myself. That’s why I implored Saint Francis of Assisi for help, and then, by a miracle, those dangerous animals went away. I give thanks for that.

Rufino Villanueva — Tabasco, Mexico

We entrusted ourselves to the Virgin when a ship from the sky took a giant crocodile.

I went to the river to swim in a place where nobody comes. When I was drying myself off I saw an enormous crocodile stealthily approaching me. Surely, the beast swam up the river because I’ve never seen crocodiles here. Seeing that my life was in danger, I implored Saint Barbara asking for her protection. She gave me courage to keep my calm. I climbed up the rocks very slowly and then ran at full speed, and the crocodile stayed there with his opened mouth and without lunch. I thank for saving my life.

Eduardo Varela went to swim in the river during his excursion. There he saw that he was about to be attacked by two enormous crocodiles. Finding his life in danger, he entrusted himself to the Virgin of Guadalupe who protected him so he could get out of the water and escape from those horrible animals. He offers this retablo in gratitude.

January 4, 1931, Eutimio Mora went to swim while he was fishing at the Champoton laguna and had an encounter with a crocodile of more than two meters long. It attacked him furiously, and, finding himself exhausted, he was lucky to entrust himself to the divine image and was saved. He brings the present retablo in gratitude.

Carmelo Lopez, I was attacked by a crocodile woman and she almost bit off my arm but I escaped.

Coyoacan, April 23, 1989

At the beach of Chacahua, very early in the morning, I walked four hours to the other side of the beach. When I wanted to return, the sun was already coming out, so I asked God to put clouds in the sky because otherwise I could’ve got sunstroke by the high temperatures that are recorded there, and me being in the middle of a territory with crocodiles, poisonous animals and predators. The villagers said that day was very strange because there are almost never clouds at that time of year.

Oaxaca, Mexico, January 2010
Daniel García C.

Thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe for the miracle that my uncle Toño Lopez G. was saved when he was attacked by a giant crocodile. Thank you, my Mother.

Acapulco