For a favor received. 2020. A lonely surfer surprised by a shark.

Señor Manuel and his son Alfredo thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for having a good catch. They bought the boat, and they thank with this for all favors. They ask for health to keep on fishing.

Veracruz, Mexico, May 15, 1990

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for saving me from being bitten by a shark when I was surfing at the beaches of Baja California during my honeymoon. I’m grateful for staying alive and enjoying my marriage.

Rene Torres, 1990

I was caught in the ocean by a terrible storm that destroyed my boat. I was left to drift alone in the open sea hoping for my luck. Several days passed, and I was very scared of dying. Then I entrusted myself, with all my faith and devotion, to Saint Peter so that he would save me. I thank because a fishing boat rescued me when I was about to be eaten by few sharks that stalked me. May you be blessed.

Leoncio Torres \ Baja California, Mexico

I give infinite thanks to Saint Paschal Baylon to commend my dog Pancho to eat a red snapper that was spoiled and to save us all from a serious illness. I beg, please, always bless this kitchen.

July 3, 1893, Ciudad del Carmen

Federico Ramirez was swimming in the sea, and a shark was going to attack him. But then a wonderful miracle happened, and a group of turtles sent by the Virgin of Zapopan stepped in. The turtles began to swim around the shark, and Federico managed to escape. He gives infinite thanks to the Holy Virgin.

I thank my dear Virgin. The fish that had eaten me choked, and I saved myself.

I went fishing in my boat like every other day, and, when I threw my net, suddenly a huge shark appeared and attacked me. I fervently asked San Charbel to help me and to give me the strength to defend myself, and thanks to his divine help I came out safe and sound from that great danger, because the shark went away after I wounded it.

Pedro Gonzalez / Gulf of California, Mexico

I commissioned this retablo in honor of the Enlightened Spirit of Emoji who inspired me to take this selfie. It went viral and collected tens of thousands of hits.

Jose Bocatillo, R.I.P.
August 8, 2013

My Mother of Sorrows, for your infinite Sorrow, so that this fish I’m cooking would have a good taste.

Chef Abascal

I was fishing in Puerto Angel when I was attacked by a blu shark but thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe I was able to dodge.

Julio Rios

With the present retablo, I infinitely thank Saint Peter for helping me to overcome the fear of swimming in the ocean because after watching the film “Jaws” in the movies I got a trauma and wouldn’t go swimming. But I’ve overcome it now. May you be blessed.

Raul Dominguez, Mexico

The factory near the village dumped the toxic wastes into the river, and the animals and fish were dying. All the village was at risk of dying of hunger. We prayed the saints to make the water clean as before. Then the factory grew and they paid the politicians not to impede toxic water dumping. Now no one can live there, not the animals, not the fish, nothing.

Angela Serrano, December 20, 1991