We were dragged by the current when the river burst its banks and flooded the town. We implored the Virgin of Guadalupe to protects us from this tragedy. I managed to climb a tree and saved my family from dying drowning. More people who were in danger sent to us by the nature were saved. The Virgin protected us. I bring this retablo, eternally thankful.

Thankful family, Chiapas, 2007

To my Lord and to the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, I offer this retablo because I got my lands back. I inherited them from my late parents and then the lands were taking from me without any reason as a mortgage. I prayed to you and now I work on my lands again as my parents’ wish. Bless me, Holy Virgin, since I’m all alone.

Serafin, Cuajumalpa, May 3, 1975

I thank the Holy Child of Atocha for curing my son from a horrible pneumonia.

Petra, Zacatecas
April 30, 1948

I thank you, Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, for choosing this place to reign with your blessings since that morning of December 5, 1531, when you appeared with your divine message to that Indian the Blessed Juan Diego. We worship you with love, faith, hope and care ever since.

Mexico, Tenochtitlan

With the promise “to be together till death do us apart” the boy Marquitos and his father Jose Antonio Villaseñor took off from Mexico with the illusion of prosperity. In Reynosa, Tamaulipas, together with 70 others people without documents, they got in the trailer of a truck going to Houston, Texas. After few hours of terrible agony, they were found hugging each other but with no life in them like 11 others Mexicans and 5 more Latin Americans. They all died asphyxiated and dehydrated. They were left without mercy by the mean smugglers in the town of Victoria, south of Houston. Morning of May 14, 2003, when I heard these painful news, I entrusted their souls to the Holy Virgin of the Solitude and the Lord of Chalma. I also ask to protect those who escaped the death.

Alfredo Vilchis Roque, Mexico City, 2003

Historical Sunday it was for the wrestling. Thanks to his jumps the wrestler Holy Mask won over the Little Phantom and became the first ever champion among little people according to the World Wrestling Committee. The audience at the Arena Mexico was roaring which isn’t easy to achieve. March 10, 1992. I thank Saint Jude Thaddeus.

Nezahualcoyotl

May 2000, we went through the desert with the only dream to get to USA and to make some money. On the fourth day, we understood that we were lost. We had no food, no water. We felt that death was near, and we began to pray the Virgin of Guadalupe to save us from dying like dogs, far away from our beautiful and beloved Mexico. We read Our Father and went to sleep. We were saved by a local who took us to Nogales, where the border is. We had no money, but we were alive. May you be blessed, Virgin! And to all Mexicans I want to say this: think before you go across the border because there is nothing better than our Mexico. Two chilangos are telling you.

To the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe and to Saint Jude Thaddeus I offer this retablo so that they would help and protect the scavengers from the Bordo de Xochiaca dump where they bring waste and garbage from all over my city, the biggest in the world. In order to survive, they earn their living with dignity. I understood there’s no undignified job but undignified people. Remember that.

Alfredo Vilchis Roque
Corner of the miracles, Minas de Cristo
Mexico City — September 24, 2009

I dedicate this ex-voto to the Holy Heart of Jesus thanking for my wife never found out the truth why I had a heart attack. I used to spy at nights on my sister-in-law when she went to sleep. She stripped herself down and took photos with her phone. I was so turned on my heart couldn’t take it anymore. Now I’m fine, and I don’t regret. I enjoyed it all and no one will take it from me because this damn broad is hot.

The Voyeur
Coyoacan, Mexico City, 2002

May you be blessed, Virgin of the Conception, for saving me from dying in that terrible crash when I was returning from Puebla.

Timoteo Carmona
10th May 1952
Mexico — bless my way

When I was returning after a concert, I ran into some bastards who tried to mug me. But they got nothing from me. Then one of them pulled out a gun and put it to my head. I grabbed him and took the gun, but the other one stabbed me. I fell feeling pretty bad. Those two were definitely high. Then the first guy picked up the gun and was going to finish me. That moment, I prayed the Archangel of Justice. Suddenly my pal appeared, and those two ran away, without killing me. Good thing you stopped them in time, pal.

Tepito, Mexico City

Thank you, Holy Virgin, for healing my sheep. They were dying from a terrible disease and I couldn’t find any remedy. I prayed to your image, and now my sheep are feeling good. I offer you this retablo in gratitude.

Juvencio
Pueblo Nuevo, 1945

Saint Sebastian, thank you because my father finally understood and accepted my sexuality. He let me live my life and blessed me.I understand him since I’m his only son, but it’s not my fault that I was born as I am. It’s my fate and I couldn’t do anything.

Ricardo
Polanco, Mexico City
June 7, 1980