Demetrio Chavez was about to have a drink with his buddy in the pulqueria bar, when he felt a terrible pain in the stomach. The pain was so strong he felt like dying. He thanks Saint Martin with this retablo for he has been cured.

Tlaxcala, 1930

At the basketball championship, Tereso Arellano hurt his heel. He implored Saint James, and it healed, and his team won. He brings this retablo giving thanks.

Puebla, 1943

My friends and I had an idea of hiring prostitutes via internet for the bachelor party of one of them. I was greatly surprised finding out that one of the prostitutes was my cousin. I thank Saint Charbel because, in exchange of keeping this secret and not telling her parents about it, she will introduce me to her friends and they will give me a special price.

The other night I went partying with my friends and had a lot of shots. The next day I woke up in a motel room with an unknown chick. WIth all my heart, I dedicate this humble ex-voto to Saint Benedict thanking him for I didn’t get any sexual disease. I promise not to get laid with persons I’ve just met and not to abuse alcohol.

Leonardo N.

One night I was selling cold beer at the wrestling arena. I was distracted and didn’t noticed that the wrestler named Superpig jumped off the third rope and almost fell on me. I thank the Lord of Chalma because I stepped away in time. Otherwise he would have sent me right to the hospital.

Abelino Rodriguez
Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco

Because of the coronavirus, my husband was left without a job. Now he spends his days behind the computer watching videos on Youtube and video conferencing with his buddies. He doesn’t lift a finger to help me around the house or with our baby, with the excuse that he’s depressed. I beg Saint Jude Thaddeus, with this retablo, to end quickly this quarantine and to make my husband’s depression—as he says—go away so he could go out looking for a job and become responsible again.

Juana Ramirez, Mexico

I’m still a virgin because I’ve been always very shy with women. So my friends encouraged me to hire a prostitute. But I was so nervous I didn’t notice that I went to the area where crossdresser men work. I give thanks to Saint Bruno because I noticed that the “girl” who was about to jump in my car was a man. I promise to wait till the real love comes to my life.

Maximiliano T. — Culiacan, Sinaloa

I give infinite thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe because my mom taught me to make traditional dolls Marias, or Mazahuas. By selling them I could support my kids, and I’m very proud that the people who buy them take a part of my culture with each doll.

Queretaro, Mexico

We were very much worried because my wife Rebecca who was pregnant felt pain in her belly. We wholeheartedly thank Saint Raymond Nonnatus because after four weeks in the hospital, despite being born a month earlier, our little Charlie Benjamin Ruedin was healthy, happy and beautiful, and everything went very well.

Joshua Ruedin — 14/Sep/2015 — Austin, Texas — USA

One night I went to the mountains, when suddenly a rider came near. In the light of the fire, I saw that it was the Black Cowboy himself. He offered me some gold coins. I remembered the legend that my wet nurse told me when I was a baby. She warned me that you should never take these coins from him, or he would take you right to hell. So I closed my eyes, prayed to Saint Benedict, and little by little the ghost disappeared.

Maclovio Lopez ~ Pachuca, Hidalgo

1914, at the station of Momospan, Justina Ramos found herself in danger of being hit by the train. She implored Saint James and didn’t die. Since she was saved from sure death, she gives thanks with this retablo.

I left the uni and, while walking, was checking my facebook on my new cel that my daddy gave me on my b-day. Suddenly a robber jumped on me, grabbed my phone and ran away. Thousand thanks to Saint Jude Thaddeus because a super cool cop was passing by. He caught the dude and returned me my cel. I promise to Saint Jude to be more careful because this experience wasn’t cool at all.

Katy Perez ~ Puebla

Every time I had to sell my bread on the street, a very angry dog jumped on me. It barked and chased me for few blocks not letting me deliver the bread to my clients. With all my faith, I asked the Holy Child of Atocha for help, and few days later the owners of this dog changed the house and took the dog with them. Now I can work in peace.

Gelasio Duarte ~ Pachuca, Hidalgo