I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan for the success I had this season with Tania the elephant and her marvelous act that won the audience.

Celeste Atayde
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Season 1980, “Atayde” circus

Holy Child of Atocha, I thank you for granting me the miracle of healing my husband from this COVID-19 contagion.

Grateful wife L.G.M.
Mexico City, June 7, 2020

Saint Jude Thaddeus, I’m going to thank you for delivering me from a difficult situation and for I was able to hide in time so my buddy didn’t catch me with his wife in his bed. I offer you this because he never found out that we were putting horns on him. I swear I won’t do it again. Forgive me because the body is weak.

Tacubaya, Mexico City, May 28, 1989

That tragic day—Tuesday, July 17, 1928—when I was attending a big banquet in “La Bombilla” restaurant honoring the elected president Alvaro Obregon who, being curious about some drawings shown to him, look at them, and Leon Toral killed him. After the shock, I entrusted his life to Christ the King, and he will forgive that young man because only God and he himself know why he did it.

Jesus Cristobal, waiter at the place
San Angel, Mexico

Here I’m showing what a grateful lady told me with tears in her eyes on that sad morning of September 19, 1985. She’s giving thanks to the Holy Mary of Guadalupe and testifies her miracle of protecting her two children during that strong earthquake that happened in Mexico City and brought many pain and tragedy. Today, 30 years later, I ask, with all my hear, to protect me beautiful and beloved Mexico.

September 2015

Jasinto and Juvencio, two twin brothers, were fighting to death over the inheritance left by their late parents. Their godfather Ramon Zalvan asked the Holy Child of Atocha to give them good sense, and the brothers divided the inheritance properly. They swear not to fight again and testify their oath with this retablo.

Zacatecas, 1937

Vicente Ortega was bitten by a dog when he was coming out from his house. The bites were very bad, and they said he could lose his arm because it wouldn’t heal with the treatment they gave him. He implored the Holy Virgin of Los Remedios, and she granted him with healing. He brings her this retablo, as he promised, with eternal gratitude.

Tacuba, January 20, 1931

I want to thank the Holy Lord of Chalma because I got my lands back and I’ve started to cultivate my agaves and sell pulque to live properly. The land was my inheritance left me by my father before his death. But my uncles took possession of it. I begged you to admit my rights, and you did it for me.

Juvencio Roque
Iztapaluca, Mexico, 1960

Thanks, Virgin of Guadalupe, because my husband forgave me after seeing me in the arms of a so to say friend of mine. We hadn’t seen each other many years, and I invited her for a drink. We began to toast, and she took me to dance, warmed up after drinking. My husband imagined the worst thing about me and wanted to divorce me. I begged you not to let this happen, and he forgave me. I’m very grateful and bring you this retablo.

Maricela
Mexico, May 18, 1969

Marvelous Heart, thank you because all the surgeries I went through came out very well. I’m happy and living my dream because that’s who I am and all I’m going to do is for love.

Julio / July
Condesa, Mexico City — June 20, 2015

I thank God for I got a job in a circus after being fired from the police because of my old age. Nobody wanted me, and here they love me so much.

Clown Copper
Mexico City, May 1990

August 21, on his way to Salvatierra, near the Santa Cruz river, señor Isidor Hernandez, riding his horse, was burn by electric fire from a lightning bolt. He collapsed before crossing the river. The horse fell dead. Finding himself in such misfortune, he entrusted himself to the mercy of the Holy Child pf Atocha and got recovered. He dedicates this retablo in righteous acknowledgment and gives thanks.

September 1, 1930
Celaya, Guanajuato

To the Holy Virgin of San Juan, I dedicate this retablo thanking for protecting me from the immigration police when they were running after me. I entrusted myself to her and was able to get to Rio Bravo, hide myself and cross it. With her blessing, I came to California and got a job. I saved good money and opened my tacos shop here in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco.

Your devoted Isidro O.
June 17, 1990