I offer this retablo to the Holy Face of Jesus for helping me to get married and escape from my house, where, after my mother’s death, my stepfather tried to take liberties with me. I asked you to meet a good man who would love me. I’m happy with my husband now, and I thank you for that.

Teodora Mejia
May 5, 1944

I dedicate this retablo to Saint Ignatius of Loyola. I thank him because my husband finally realized, after I put some pressure on him, that he must stop buying books. We have no more space in our house and we’ve got so many books that we’d never read them all in our lifetime.

Mrs. Bone
March 5, 2009

Blessed Soul in Purgatory, I thank you for delivering me from my ailment. I went looking for a whore and I enjoyed her giving liberty to my man power. She made me, when I needed it most, feel youthful, in my age, and reliable in any bed with any woman who would like to prove me.

El Cumplidor (“The Performer”)
Tacubaya, Mexico City, 2008

Holy Mother Virgin of Guadalupe, queen and protectress of the Mexicans, I offer you this retablo because you helped me with my work as a mariachi here in Garibaldi. In such difficult moments like those our country is going through, the music makes one forget about problems and brings joy into the heart of your beautiful and beloved Mexico.

A grateful mariachi
14–II–2011

It happened in Mexico City.
September 19, 1985 (on the calendar)

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe with this retablo because I managed to execute the mission imposed on me by mr. Madero. With these great, brave women and with their tricks, we managed to transport successfully the arms and the ammunition in trains—from the border with Texas to Piedras Negras, Coahuila—to protect the “San Luis” plan.

A. Aguirre Benavides
October 1910

That’s how we celebrated that night till dawn with the adelitas (women soldiers) who had taken Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, with the Zaragoza brigade. Thanks to our protectress, Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, the town was surrounded to my general Francisco Villa. Saturday, November 15, 1913, there was a clear victory. Look after our women who risked their lives for this cause.

Simon Trejo

Oh God, may you be blessed, because I finally met the love of my life at that corner. I don’t care what has happened with her before. I fell in love at first sight. I proposed her, and she accepted me — after so many years of loneliness. I am an orphan, I have no brothers, no sisters, not even a dog—I’ve been all alone. She will fill my life with love and caress.

Juventino Rocha
Mexico City — February 14, 1990

We offer this retablo to the Lord of Chalma thanking him for saving us from a shameful and dangerous situation. The week-end had started very cheerful and lively, so the devil in person appeared to us. Thank to the protection of our defender we managed to find our way home quickly and without problems, leaving all the evil behind.

Mr. Felt and Mrs. Bone
Mexico City — February 2008

Saint Jude Thaddeus, I thank you and I offer you this retablo because my husband fell asleep and didn’t noticed that I was with the butcher’s son. It was a horrible situation, and I’m sorry for that. I ask you to forgive me, and I’ll never do it again. I promised you if it all would end well, I’d offer you a retablo. And now I do.

Your faithful Carolina
Roma, Mexico City
October 28, 2004

Thank you, Virgin of the Solitude, for healing me from a painful illness that I caught from a client because I was very careless about protection. I prayed you and now I’m back to work as a prostitute at my corner.

Julia
Merced, Mexico City
January 2004

I thank the Lord of the Cross because it was only a dream and I didn’t fell off the trapeze in real life.

Facundo Peña, acrobat
Tijuana, Mexico, 1980
The “Union” circus

I thank Saint Sebastian because I heard my boss coming back home, so I could escape through the window and stayed in the cold. He didn’t catch me with his wife. I asked you for help, and you made so he never found out about us. I appreciate this.

Luis P. G.
Condesa, Mexico City
December 28, 2004