I, a street musician, was walking with my doggies Canico and Capi, when suddenly the bony death appeared dancing to the rhythm of my violin. I was so scared, I implored the Holy Cross, and it disappeared.

Anastacio Valdez

Virgin of Guadalupe, we ask you to rest in peace the souls from don Chucho’s pulqueria-bar.

Drunk skeletons appeared to Rafael Contreras, they wanted to make him drunk with tequila. But he implored the Holy Face and got free from them.

Guadalajara, 1955

My mother told me not to eat the offerings we put to my grandfather on the Day of the Dead because if I do eat he would come at night and grab my legs. I didn’t believe it and I secretly ate some pastry from the altar. That night I was woken by my grandfather’s spirit. He was very angry and scolded me. I prayed the Lord of the Wonders, and little by little the spirit disappeared. For that I promise not to be so naughty and gluttonous.

Luisito Rodriguez ~ Puebla, Mexico

This month of November, 1956, I bring this retablo infinitely thanking Saint Pancras for letting me be a friend of Frida since 1947 till her death.

Maria R.

I was in my bed with a light fever. Suddenly I saw skeletons who came near me and began to perform a wicked dance inviting me to join them. I prayed the Virgin of Guadalupe to save me from this absurd act and to take the skeletons far away. I closed my eyes for a moment, and when I opened them the miracle had been worked. I was feeling much better. I dedicate this retablo.

August 6, Guadalajara, Mexico

I was bathing with my monkey, then the Bony came to the bathroom, and we chased her out for being too nosy.

Mexico, August 28, 1979

I, Ines Pantoja, pay with this exvoto giving thanks for the skeleton didn’t hurt me while I was sleeping. I was very much frightened because my old man mature wasn’t home.

Polanco, 1982

Tiburcio Lopez brings this retablo to the Virgin of Guadalupe for saving him from a skeleton mermaid who wanted to drown him dead.

Acapulco, 1950

Alejandra R. and Alberto M. were fucking at the cemetery, and the dead attacked them. They thank Saint Jude, with the present retablo, because they managed to escape. They promise not to get in sacred places.

Suffering Frida, you don’t suffer anymore. I beg you, Divine Baby Jesus, make her rest in peace so she would stop appearing in her studio.

Thank you, Virgin, for saving my buddy and me from demons of evil.

December 21, 1990, Puebla

I bet my life in a cock-fight. Thank you, Virgin, I won and saved myself.