My sister and I went to the capital to study in the university but we needed money to cover our expenses. We took advantage of our beauty and started working as dancers in a night club where the pay is very good. We thank Saint Bruno for our parents don’t know about it because they would get angry and make us return to the village.

Josefina and Raquel S. ~ Guadalajara, Jalisco

When I came to work to the Orozcos’ house, I had a lot of troubles with Rosa who was the former cook. She got jealous because my dishes tasted better than hers. So she started to spoil my food. I thank Saint Paschal Baylon for the masters noticed it and scolded her before committing an injustice to me. Finally, I was left in peace.

Filomena Salazar \ Zacatlan, Puebla

Since I married my Elenita, her nosy mother came to live with us because she couldn’t live without her daughter. Our marriage was a hell because that lady always gave her opinion on everything and wanted the things done her way. We couldn’t even have intimacy. I’m thanking Saint Raymond with the present retablo because my wife finally realized that the marriage is for two only and asked her mother to move out. That day we had a party.

Ivan Perez \ Torreon, Coahuila

Inocencio Fernandez was in the bar, being well drunk after a lot of mezcal. He began to see many skeletons around him. One of them asked him “Why you are alone?” It was the Death in person who tried to take him. He thanks Saint Michael for he could escape, running out of the bar, safe and sound before he died on that November 2. He promised to amend his ways.

In times of the Revolution, there was a very tough battle in my village, and I became an orphan. One day I met the general Emiliano Zapata himself and humbly asked him for help. I thank the Virgin of San Juan for having sent him to me, because he took me with him and gave me many advices that made me into a hardworking, loyal and brave man.

Maclovio Lopez ~ Jonacatepec, Morelos

Delfina Rosas dedicates this retablo to the Virgin of the Solitude thanking her for fulfilling her dream—to participate in the celebrations of the Guelaguetza this year. It’s so exciting to be a part of such an important and beautiful Oaxacan tradition.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Since I lost my job and we didn’t have enough money to pay our rent, my wife and I had to move with her mother. My mother-in-law was a dressmaker, and she didn’t like that I stayed in her house doing nothing. So she asked me to be her model. I thank Saint Sebastian for my friends and relatives never found out that I was trying on dresses, so I kept it in secret.

Guillermo R. \ Merida, Yucatan

Serapio Papaqui thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for letting him to keep dancing as hue hue at this year carnival. Last year he accidentally shot himself with carbine and almost died. He was afraid they wouldn’t let him to participate at the carnival after that accident and it’s been his family tradition for many years.

Huejotzingo, Puebla

I was a bandit. One day I was going to a town to do my misdeeds and stopped near a very beautiful girl. She saw that I was thirsty and she was kind to offer me some water. She didn’t know who I was, and I, as soon as I saw her, fell completely in love with her. I’m infinitely thankful to Saint Anthony of Padua for having met her. Thanks to her advices and her love I managed to amend my ways, and I’m a good man now.

Tiburcio Zamora / Zacatecas, Mexico

I liked to paint but I was afraid of not having enough talent to become a professional. But one night Frida Kahlo appeared in my dream and encouraged me to paint. I give infinite thanks to Saint Thomas Aquinas for that dream. It was the inspiration I needed to do what I loved the most—painting.

Amelia Lara ~ Mexico City

I considered myself the ladies man of the neighborhood, and I enjoyed flirting with the girls passing by the street. But the other day I was fooling around with a blond, she turned around, and, to my great surprise, I saw that she was a man. I thank Saint Sebastian because this embarrassing moment didn’t affect my reputation. I promise to be more respectful with the women.

Calixto Gallardo \ Toluca, State of Mexico

The Tapia bothers, Aquilino and Sabino, wholeheartedly thank Saint Martin the Cavalryman for opening their own bakery. For many years they worked as bakers and dreamt to open their own shop one day. With the saint’s divine help, after many years of hard work, they made their dream come true, for which they humbly thank with this simple retablo.

Toluca, State of Mexico

I give infinite thanks to Saint Anthony of Padua for sending a good woman to my life. I got married very young, but got a bad wife. She left me for another man. I became very disappointed and took refuge in my carpenter job for many years. But one beautiful day I met Carmelita and I believed in love again. We are very happy. May you be blessed.

Cayetano Aguilar \ Zacatecas, Mexico