Anselmo got drunk because of a love pain, and he was so drunk he fell asleep outside the canteen. When he woke up the next morning he found out that the dead took control of the town. They walked around like they were inhabitants of the town. Anselmo closed his eyes and began to pray fervently to the Virgin of Guadalupe. When he opened his eyes the dead had gone and the normal people was walking around. He thanks the Virgin.

Saint John of God I thank because I was able to get out of the valley of the dead.

I had many horrifying dreams with blood, being surrounded by demons and people with skinless bodies. But my faith in you saved me. Thanks.

Rosario Coral
Ixil, 1947

My father didn’t like that I had a boyfriend, so Alejandro and I had to meet secretly. One night we were at the cemetery where no one could see us. We were sitting on a grave and talking when we heard a music. We saw the dead leaving their graves and having a party. They played instruments and danced. We were very much frightened. We thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for we could escape and the skeletons didn’t see us.

Thank you, Virgin, for letting my buddy and me stay in the world of living.

Rodrigo Hernandez, 1965

*** Garcia went to the cemetery to get drunk. He fell asleep. When he woke up he saw that the dead left their tombs. He was frightened and implored the Virgin of Guadalupe. Thanks to her protection he was able to escape from the cemetery safe and sound.

2 a.m., I was driving my taxi around the Xonaca neighborhood. Then a young beautiful nicely-dressed girl stopped me and asked me to drive to a place which turned out to be the Municipal Cemetery. She payed me and left, but instead of going towards the houses near by, she went to the cemetery. She wasn’t quite walking, more like floating. My passenger was a dead girl, so in this danger situation I prayed Our Lord Jesus Nazarene for protection. Thank God, nothing terrible happened. I brings this as a testimony of what happened in Puebla on October 1932.

Filemon Garcia T.

My sister and I bring flowers to our grandmother’s grave on her birthdays. This time we went at the cemetery at night, and got there with the moonlight. We met some skeletons over there. They left their graves to get drunk. They met us with great joy and wanted to dance with us. We were scared and prayed the Virgin of Zapopan. She helped us to escape from the dead so they didn’t chase us. We thank for that.

My father wasn’t very glad that I had a boyfriend, so Antonio and I had to meet secretly. One night we were at the cemetery where no one could see us. We were sitting on a grave and talking when we heard a music. We saw the dead leaving their graves and having a party. They played instruments and danced. We were very much frightened. We thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for we could escape and the skeletons didn’t see us.

The dead live and enjoy their holiday. Thanks to the Virgin.

In the outskirts of Zacatlan, Macario Barrales met an unrest soul. He prayed the Holy Child of Atocha for protection, and the dead didn’t do him any harm. He thanks for that with the retablo.

1920

I went to the cemetery to pass some drinks. I didn’t remember that it was November 1. At the midnight I heard strange noises, so I climbed a tree and from over there I saw the dead who began chatting with each other. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for they didn’t see me. At the dawn they disappeared, and I could get down.

The night of November 2, I was taking care of some tomes at the cemetery. I received a great shock when I saw with my own eyes a dead man who opened his casket and was ready to get out of it. I prayed the Lord of Chalma for protection and could escape safely. Next time I’m offered a job at the cemetery, I’d rather refuse.

Aquilino Morales
Guanajuato, 1947