I thank the Lord of the Wonders with this exvoto for having participated in the Day of the Dead Parade this year. It was a unique experience full of colors and joy. We share this beautiful tradition with the entire world, and I ask for health to be able to participate again the next year.

Mexico City, 2019

Juan Nepomuseno from San Martin, Metepec, offers this retablo to the Virgin of Tepeyac because he and his family continue to do a beautiful work with clay by tradition of his forefathers which is the pride of his town.

Metepec, Mexico, September 2017

With this humble retablo, I thank the Holy Child of Atocha because in Hollywood they created this movie “Coco” in which they show the beautiful and colorful Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead. And it’s absolutely fair that it won the Oscar for the best animated picture.

Mexico

In my family we used to bring offerings to our dead relatives. But when I became independent and began to live alone, I felt too lazy to put an altar and decided to decorate my house for Halloween instead. The night of the Day of the Dead I was greatly frightened by seeing that my grandparents appeared to me and they were very angry with me for not giving them offerings. I thank Saint Michael for they didn’t take me to a better world, and I promise not to forget my Mexican traditions.

I give infinite thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe because my mom taught me to make traditional dolls Marias, or Mazahuas. By selling them I could support my kids, and I’m very proud that the people who buy them take a part of my culture with each doll.

Queretaro, Mexico

Vicente Castillo dedicates the present retablo to Saint Martha in gratitude for his son Renato managed to shoot his fist deer. Hunting is their family tradition, and he’s very proud of his son.

Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

My husband and I thank the Holy Lord of Chalma with this retablo for allowing us to perform the Son Jarocho dance every weekend in the city center and in the arcades. It fills us with pride to keep our traditions alive and to share our music with the tourists who visit the beautiful city of Veracruz.

Inocencia Cruz and Pascual Dominguez

I dedicate the present retablo to Saint Paschal Baylon thanking him because my grandmother Petra instilled me love for the kitchen since childhood. She was a great cook, and I inherited this from her. I discovered my vocation, and I’m a professional chef now. I proudly bring the taste of the traditional Mexican cuisine to the entire world.

Catalina Muñoz \ Oaxaca, Mexico

Saint Jude Thaddeus, I thank you for finding an inspiration in wrestling to create paintings with folk tradition and fantasies of my Mexico, to the world.



Alley of miracles, Minas de Cristo, 2011

Delfina Rosas dedicates this retablo to the Virgin of the Solitude thanking her for fulfilling her dream—to participate in the celebrations of the Guelaguetza this year. It’s so exciting to be a part of such an important and beautiful Oaxacan tradition.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Serapio Papaqui thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for letting him to keep dancing as hue hue at this year carnival. Last year he accidentally shot himself with carbine and almost died. He was afraid they wouldn’t let him to participate at the carnival after that accident and it’s been his family tradition for many years.

Huejotzingo, Puebla

The Tlatempa brothers dedicate the present retablo to the Virgin of Guadalupe because she always protects them at their performances. They are the flying men of the village and are keeping this family tradition of many years.

Papantla, Veracruz, 1940

My father was a craftsman who dedicated himself to making puppets. When I was a little boy, I loved them very much and played with them. I dedicate this humble retablo to Saint Jude Thaddeus thanking him because I inherited the secret of making these puppets and I’m going to pass it to my children.

Puebla, Mexico