Once there was such a terrible heat in California, that all the corn dry and fell out of mealies. And the old Billy Dorset’s bull decided that it was snow and froze to death. I am grateful to the Holy Virgin of Zapopan for this idea occurred only to the bull.

The cat died giving birth to the kittens. We were afraid that the kittens would die also—from hunger. But happened so our dog gave birth to her puppies. She accepted the kittens, she breastfed and cleaned them. We thank Saint Francis for such a good dog and the kittens are all right.

When my husband Juan Jose died, I was sad and couldn’t find any consolation. We loved each other so much, and I couldn’t stand the thought of not seeing him again. I asked the Virgin to let me see him. And she gave me that. So now every Day of the Dead, I put the altar and bring the offerings, and then my husband appears for a few seconds. So I can keep his image in my memory and find strength to live on without him.

I thank the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe because my little Martincito became like a dead. We were ready to keep a vigil over him, we had prepared the veil, the flowers, had made his hair, and then the dead baby began to cry. I thank for this divine miracle.

Ernestina Sanchez

The night of February 27, 1963, Casimiro Mendoza and his buddy Austerberto went to have few drinks in the tavern of don Venanzio. On their way back to the ranch they ran into the Death riding on horseback. With great fear, they implored the Virgin of San Juan, and she protected them. The Death passed by without approaching to them.

After leaving the town few years ago, when his bride had died on the way to the church, Roberto Mendival came back, full of memories. Since it was the Day of the Dead, he went to put some flowers on his late beloved one’s grave. He stayed over there till dark, reflecting about how it all could have gone different. Suddenly he heard some noise. He saw the dead men leaving their graves. And his bride Clara, who had turned into a skeleton, was among them. She saw her groom and hugged him. Other skeletons prepared everything for a wedding and were looking for a dead priest to conduct the ceremony. Although Roberto had feelings for his bride, he wasn’t into marrying the dead woman at all. He prayed to the Virgin of Zapopan, and the Virgin hastened the hour of the dawn. With the cockcrowing, the dead men rushed to their graves, and Roberto didn’t have to link his life with a skeleton. He thanks for that.

14-years old Juanito Cruz thanks the Virgin because the Blue Demon didn’t surrender and defeated the Death. He gave me a wheelchair that he had promised because my legs are hurt and I can’t walk. Look after him, Virgin. He’s my idol and a very good man.

Mexico City, 1990

The Death in person came to my bedroom. Horrified, I prayed to the Virgin of Zapopan so that she’d scare the Death away. The Holy Virgin gave courage to my dogs, and they attacked the Death. The Death disappeared without taking me with it. I thank the Holy Virgin.

Ana Luisa Gutierrez was very ill and saw the death near her bed. She asked the Black Christ for mercy and saw how the crucifix over her started to glow. Suddenly came an angel sent by the Lord to stop the death. Day after she woke up in good health. She thanks for it.

November 29, 1977

She was born October 15, 1873. She was 12 years 3 months and 15 days old when she died in January of 1885, at 10:30 am. And at 10 p.m., during the vigil for her, she rose from the dead with help and mercy of All-Holy God. We bring this retablo for the miracle.

Cabora, Sonora

Teresa Urrea (1873–1906), also known as Santa Teresa of Cabora, was a mexican folk healer. She experienced religious visions and believed she had the gift of healing.

The death was riding his horse around the town. Everyone was frightened that the death would take someone, so they prayed to the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Romualda Quiros liked to have her fortune told by cards. Until one day she was told that she would kick the bucket very soon. She begs the Virgin of San Juan to forgive her and promises to not visit fortune-tellers ever again.