A milagro, in Spanish, is a miracle or a surprise. It is also the name for small amulets or charms that have been used for centuries to petition better health, guidance, protection and good fortune. Also called ex-voto or promesas, the use of these small religious folk charms originated in Spain and Portugal and was brought to the Americas by Spaniards centuries ago. A petitioner prays for a miracle or milagro to address a particular need and leaves their petition/prayer in a place that is meaningful to them or in a chapel or church.

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Milagros can be fabricated from many different types of materials. For example, they might be nearly flat or fully three-dimensional; and they can be constructed from gold, silver, tin, lead, wood, bone, or wax. Sometimes people carry a milagro in their pocket or on a ribbon around their neck for protection or good luck.

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This art activity using the tradition of the milagros will create a vehicle for young people to express their wishes and dreams for the future. We will use cards to write each child’s wish or dream, their milagrito. The cards can be cut into different shapes like a heart, or a house, or a cloud, or a variety of different things as inspired by the child’s milagro and decorated using special things you have on hand and illustrated by the children.