I thank the cosmos for helping me to be happy and make music all over the place. Once I was a normal turtle who works and pays the rent but one day I decided to go out to the world and become who I really was.

August 6, 2000, I was diving in Tulum. I was alone and everything was going great. When the evening came and I decided to get out and come back, I felt the presence of sharks. I was getting in the boat when one of them caught my leg. Seeing it, I implored the Holy Heart. I stretched for the harpoon, grabbed it and shot. Although the shark took my leg, I took its life.

Massimo Crotone ~ Tulum, Mexico, 2001

I, Pilar Marmolejo, leave a testimony for such a strange event. It happened on July 18, 1975, when I was preparing to go to sleep. What a surprise it was to find a demon in flesh lying in my bed. With a sinister smile, he said that he’d like to have an intimate encounter with me. I immediately implored to the high benevolence of the Holy Virgin and kicked the devil out from my bed and my house by punching him with a broom.

Tehuacan, Puebla, 1976
Mexico

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for giving me strength to win over my rival in an important fight mask vs. mask. When I felt weak I prayed and then I managed to apply a camel clutch and won the mask of the Espanto (The Fright).

El Santo

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for giving me the gift of becoming a star of the ring. I’m invincible, and I owe everything to my Mother of Tepeyac. I dedicate her this exvoto, with all my faith and devotion.

I thank the Haley’s Comet for her grace and power. Now I’m a great street artist and not only a bitter monkey. I’m happy and dedicate my life to entertain the audience of the towns I pass by.

Horacio, the juggler monkey
Mexico, 2017

Lovely Mother, I thank you for your blessing and for keeping me in form during almost 30 years of my career. After many victories and many sacrifices, I offer this retablo in your honor.

Espectro I
Mexico, 1980

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe because after many prayers she granted me with the great favor and helped me in my fight over the championship against El Salvaje (The Savage) and I won with “la zacatecana” move (?).

Torreon, 1987

Some thieves got in the doña Luz Rodriguez’ house while she was away on a trip. Thanks to the Virgin of Zapopan the gendarme Romualdo Castro had fixed a date with his girlfriend one hour before his shift right on the corner. Thanks to that he was present when the thieves were escaping from the balcony. He managed to catch and arrest them very cunningly. Doña Luz thanks and prays for those in blue uniforms who give the security.

La Conchita, 1960

Juan Chuk was fishing in his little boat in the area of Ojo Azul and fell asleep for a moment. He was very much surprised feeling the kick in the boat, he thought it was a dream. An enormous octopus, green and monstrous, climbed in the boat and was reaching for him. Horrified, he started praying the Dark-skinned Lady of Tepeyac and saw two little angels who appeared to help him in his fight against the creature. The octopus went away and took the net with the catch of the day. Juan thanks for stying alive and dedicate this retablo.

Quintana Roo, Mexico, 1974

I thank the Virgin from Tepeyac for giving me peace and pride of accepting my defeat from the great El Santo and came off in one piece to try to recover the championship belt. I testify my eternal gratitude.

Rodolfo Galindo the Caveman, 1957

The devil pricked my head with his trident. It caused me a terrible pain. and I couldn’t do anything, only sat quietly in semi-darkness suffering. I prayed to Saint Peter Martyr who had suffered more than I. The saint took pity upon me, and now I don’t have any pain. I give infinite thanks.

Carmen Amparo Rios
Puebla ’83

May 18, 2005, I was challenging Lopez the Puma in the national bantamweight title. In the 7th round, after a bloody fight, I threw a jab in his jaw and he fell down. Seeing that he wouldn’t get up and being happy with my triumph, I beg the Holy Virgin not to let any damage happen to him and she did so. I give thanks.

Sandoval “the Cocky”