Ricardo Fernandez was diving with a friend when He suffered an epileptic seizure. He thanks Saint Pancras with this retablo because he was helped in time and didn’t die drowning.

I got this great idea to propose to my Chabelita in a trajinera-boat at Xochimilco. I thought it would be very romantic. But then I got so nervous I slipped and I fell into lake. I give infinite thanks to Saint Anthony of Padua because I didn’t lose the ring—it fell inside the boat—and, despite this embarrassing moment, my fiancée said “yes” which made me very happy.

Ramiro Tellez, Mexico City

I took my piglets to the river to wash them because they stunk very much. Suddenly a strong current came from the mountain and took us down the river to the waterfall. I thank Saint Francis who protected us so we didn’t get hurt falling on the rocks nor drowned. We managed to get out to the bank safe and sound.

My children were splashing near the riverbank, and the little one slipped and fell into the current. Our dog reacted immediately and jumped to save her. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for having sent us such an intelligent and loyal dog. All our family can rely on him and we love him very much.

January 6, 1957, the boy Esteban fell in a Xochimilco canal. His brother Juan rushed to help him. Seeing them both in water, I entrusted them to Saint Jude Thaddeus so he would give them enough strength to get out alive from this danger. They were saved, and I promised to bring this retablo for the received favor.

Señora Juana — San Pedro, Xochimilco, Mexico

I wasn’t a good swimmer, and a sea current dragged me to open sea. I felt lost among this immensity of water. I tried to swim, then tried to scream but nobody heard me. I was doubting that I could survive when suddenly out of nowhere a beautiful dog appeared there, in the middle of the sea. He dragged me to the shore. I could explain this only as a miracle of the Virgin of San Juan who always look after me. I give thanks for this angel who saved me.

Pacomio Jimenez thanks for being saved when mermaids-skeletons scared him and almost drowned him.

Veracruz, August 11, 1942

At the day of my wedding my fiancé changed his mind and didn’t come to the church. Furious with rage and pain, I ran to the cape and threw myself into the sea to kill myself. But after falling into the water I imagined my skeleton in the wedding dress lying at the bottom of the sea and surrounded by corrals and seaweed. I realized I didn’t want to die. But my dress got wet and heavy and dragged me down. Saint Barbara came to help me. I was taken by a current and brought up to the shore. A wave threw me back to the air and to the sun. I’m infinitely grateful for that.

When Miguel Martinez was swimming in the sea, he had a congestion. He lost his senses and went to the bottom. But thanks to his devotion to the Virgin of San Juan the Virgin sent dolphins to help him. The dolphins took him out of the water and brought to the beach before he drowned. Miguel is infinitely grateful t the Virgin and offer her this retablo.

The night of August 15, 1930, I was coming back to Zacatecas. While crossing a river, I was dragged by the current from a saddle and carried away. I was afraid to die drowning and prayed the Holy Child of Atocha. My horse saved me and dragged me to the shore. With this retablo, I testimony this miracle and ask to bless my horse for her loyalty.

Gumaro from Fresnillo, Zacatecas

Holy Virgin of San Juan, I dedicate this retablo to you for letting my sons, Juan and Pedro, cross the Rio Bravo (Rio Grande) and get to USA, in spite of one of them being nearly drowned.

A grateful mother
Jalisco, 1983

Tiburcio Maldonado thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for saving him from a skeleton mermaid who wanted to drown him dead.

Acapulco, 1960

Ruperto Pacheco was spying on the communal commissioner’s daughter while she was swimming in the river. But the branch broke off, and he fell into the water. He thanks Saint Elias with this retablo for he didn’t drown and the girl didn’t accuse him.

Chiautempan, 1920