I saw that a storm was about to start, and I ran to shelter the animals because my husband slept like a log. I got them under the roof but couldn’t ran to the house myself because a heavy rain with hail broke out. So I made myself comfortable among the animals, and I must confess, I have never slept so good as that nigh. I give thanks to Saint Francis because now when I really need to rest I come to sleep with them, as far as possible from my husband snoring.

I thank you, Saint Isidor Laborer, for pulling the rains off our neighborhood and for I could close the gate to my hallway to protect my house from the deluge in our block, as it happened with my neighbor who couldn’t celebrate her niece Michelle’s first communion because of that.

A grateful Mexican
Cuautepec BB, Mexico City, August 2014

Thanks, Holy Virgin, for your help on the Day of the Dead when we went to the cemetery to bring flowers to my uncle Reinaldo, may he rest in peace. Suddenly two gringos fell on the grave because it was raining quite heavily. But thanks because, although they fell right on the grave, they didn’t smash the offerings for my uncle so he could eat properly. That’s why I thank for your mercy.

When I crossed the town square it started raining so terribly and so heavy that one couldn’t see around. Suddenly the fish began falling down. I had no idea what to do and where to go. Thanks to the Virgin I saw a light. I went towards it, and it was the bakery door. I waited inside with my baby and my dog until this strange deluge stopped. I thank the Virgin for guiding my way.

I was walking down the old road with my children. Suddenly a thunderstorm began. I was afraid because I knew that the river bursts its banks and floods the road when it rains heavily. I prayed the Virgin of Zapopan, and we ran against the wind and rain splashing in our faces. Thanks to the Holy Virgin we get to the house and only got our clothes soaked. I thank for our protection.

My land became dry and infertile. I was in despair for not be able to harvest. One day the devil presented before myself and showed me how he can make a dry mound became green and flourishing. He said he could make it with all my lands in exchange for my soul. I was thinking about my family, and it was very tempting. But I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for I could resist the temptation. My resistance prevailed with the good rains coming to my land and making it green again. I give thanks.

Because of our lack of money, I couldn’t build a stable. And every time when it rained, my wife brought the cow inside the house so that it wouldn’t get wet. I hated it because this damned cow used to lick my feet. I prayed to the Holy Virgin to get some money so I could build the stable. The Virgin made me this miracle, and now the cow sleeps outside.

Because of strong winds and rains our corral collapsed. We had to move the animals to the house, and my husband was so lazy, he didn’t repair the corral. I couldn’t stand the animals at every corner of the house. Finally the Holy Virgin made a miracle. Once my husband woke up kissing a pig thinking it was me. This made him repair the corral. I give infinite thanks for that.

Every time when it was raining my wife put all the animals inside the house so they wouldn’t wet and sick. Then my wife went to sleep peacefully, and I couldn’t close my eyes. I was afraid that an egg might fall on my head or the pig would start licking my face. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because we finally saved enough money to build a shed and a henhouse. Now the animals sleep there without getting wet, and I don’t have them around my bed.

There was a great drought in the region, an I was very distressed because my land was dry and I was losing my harvest. I asked Saint Isidor Labourer with all my faith to send the rains sooner, and in few days he made me a great miracle. I’m deeply thankful and dedicate this retablo.

Melesio Flores \ Tehuacán, Puebla

One evening, when I was in the mountains, it started raining very hard. My sheep got so scared they ran and lost me. It brought me a deep sorrow, and I implored to Saint Francis of Assisi with all my faith. Three days later, I found my sheep in the field. They were alright and no one missing. I give thanks for such a big miracle.

Silvestre López ~ Cuetzalan, Puebla

My daughter went to buy some tortillas. On her way back, the thunderstorm began. It was hailing, and also raining with frogs. We thank the Virgin of Guadalupe because our daughter was able to find a cover in the abandoned chapel near the road and wait till this incredible storm was over.

It hadn’t rained for few years, and our lands were dry. We and our goats had to eat nopal cactuses and prickly pears, and the dogs fed themselves with lizards and snakes. The Virgin of Guadalupe finally listened to our prayers, and this year abundant rains have come to us. The land is blooming, and we have a lot of vegetables and corn. We thank for this abundance.