Thanks for the donkey didn’t catch me.

One dark night, I was coming back from the San Juan fair with my donkeys. Suddenly the sly was lightened with many lightnings. With that light I could see that I was near a cliff and almost fell off with my donkeys. I thank the Virgin of San Juan for the miracle of lighting up my way and saving my life.

Holy Virgin, help us with our donkey who wouldn’t walk unless we bring him fruits.

My truck threw a rod on the way from Tepeaca to Puebla. It was late night, and I got very scared. I implored Saint James, and soon a villager with a donkey passed by. He towed me for which I thank.

R.G. 1969

Eufemio Rosales went to gather pulque and on his way back met a witch. He thanks the Virgin of the Solitude for he could get safely to his hut, although he and his donkey made huge shit from fear.

Puebla, 1912

Señor Porfirio thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe because his agaves give a lot of pulque and could save money to buy a donkey to keep on woking and support his family. One thing he asks you is health.

Villa del Carbon, Mexico, December 12, 1990

On our way back from the town of Carrizo del Valle, I decided to take a rest with my children Maria and Lucas. Suddenly we heard a loud noise and saw that the donkey that carried the provision fell from the cliff. We ran to help him, we pulled the rope as strong as we could but the donkey was too heavy. I felt that my strength oozed away, and I prayed the Holy Heart of Jesus. And the donkey managed to come up safe and sound.

Julia Rivas
Puebla, 1958

We had to go to the town to sell milk. But some devils began to bother our donkey, and the poor thing didn’t know what to do. I implore the Virgin of Zapopan who came to help us. She made the donkey shake the annoying devils off and give them a couple of kicks afterwards. The demons ran away from this attack, and we could go sell our milk which miraculously didn’t spill.

When Gregoria Coyotzi was gathering wood, she received a blow in her bottom from her donkey. It broke her coccyx, and she was feeling very bad. She implored the Virgin of San Juan and got recovered. She’s infinitely thankful for that.

Puebla, 1914

I give thanks to the Holy Cross. We were going to San Felipe square when suddenly Filemon, my donkey, got mad from fear and created a real havoc. Then the señor gendarme wanted to arrest him but the donkey was carrying all my goods. But God spoke to his heart, and he let us go.

I thank the Virgin of San Juan for the miracle of having a good harvest and that I was able to buy donkeys to carry my goods to the market. I dedicate this retablo in gratitude.

Juvencio Mendez P. — Chiconcuac, Mexico, 1937

My son and I were going from town to town with our donkey selling oranges. One day we decided to take a cut through the desert and got lost. The sun was going down, and we heard hungry coyotes howling. I prayed the Virgin of Zapopan, and suddenly a bird of golden light appeared from the twilight. It guided us to the road to Fresnillo. I infinitely thank for this miracle that saved our lives.

Casimiro Garcia went to gather wood and saw a flying saucer. He entrusted himself to Saint Patrick whom he thanks with this retablo for protecting him so nothing bad happened with him or his donkey. He only pissed his pants out of fear.

Zacatlan, 1948