I was participating in the quebradita contest with my group. When my partner lifted me up, my pants cracked really bad. I was really scared that because of me all my partners were going to be disqualified by the judges. I thank Saint Jude Thaddeus for the judges didn’t notice this embarrassing moment and we won the first prize.

Guillermina Sanchez ~ Sinaloa

With all my heart, I thank the Virgin of the Solitude for curing my son Pancrasio. He got a bullet in his left leg during a shooting with the troops. I thank with this retablo for he’s alright now.

Encarnacion Campos — Durango, 1918

I dedicate this humble retablo, with all my heart, to Saint Valentine thanking him because, despite of my short stature, I have no problem being a great lover in bed. I have a wonderful girlfriend, and she’s always satisfied.

Damian R. \ Mazatlán, Sinaloa

I went to camp in the mountains alone. The morning I was mortally terrified when I saw an enormous bear near my tent. I thank Saint Francis because the bear entertained himself with my beer cans and fell asleep afterwards so I could escape from this situation unhurt.

Alfonso Tejeda \ Durango, Mexico

Rogaciano and his wife Maria Lopez dedicate this little humble retablo to Saint Isidor Laborer in eternal gratitude for their lands are very generous and their corn harvest are very good, with big and tasty corncobs.

Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico

Don Luciano Herrera was a very rich man in our town. After having widowed, he began to court me. I didn’t like him because he was much older than me. But he was stubborn and even offered some lands to my parents in exchange for marrying me. I thank Saint Raymond for I managed to go live with my aunt in the capital and I’ve never seen this dirty old man anymore.

Rosita Buendia ~ Zapopan, Jalisco

In times of the Revolution I was part of the Federal Army but my troops lost a battle, I was badly wounded and was on the edge of dying. I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of Guadalupe because two peasants took me to their home. The cured me and saved my life. In gratitude I decide to fight for the people since that moment and joined the rebels.

Agustin Castillo \ Zacatecas, Mexico

There was a very pretty girl in our town that I liked very much. One night I embrace myself to give her a serenade without any idea that she had a very aggressive and grumpy father. I thank Saint Jude Thaddeus with this humble retablo because the mariachi and I could escape before he started to shoot at us with a shotgun he pulled out.

Liborio Zamora \ Guadalajara, Jalisco

To show a girl I liked how brave I am, I agreed to do a rollercoaster ride. She loved extreme rides. And I, being at the top, felt terrible. I got a fear of hight and my stomach was upset. I infinitely thank the Holy Child of Atocha for getting through this horrible ride. I promise to be sincere and to tell that I don’t love strong sensations.

Valentin Fuentes \ Guadalajara, Jalisco

Abelino Sanchez thanks the Virgin of San Juan for protecting him that night when the town lumberyard got on fire. The flames were very powerful but he managed to break through without burns, get to the fire and extinguish it.

Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco

Thank you, Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, for granting me your protection every time I risk my life on the arena going to the furious bulls.

1953 / Jasinto «The Cool» Valencia / Queretaro

My son Pascual was a troublemaker and spent all his time fighting in the canteen for pure nonsense. I worried that one day he might be seriously hurt, so I entrusted him to the Virgin of the Solitude. Little by little he changed his attitude and now he’s a more peaceful man. Bless you.

Socorro López \ Oaxaca, México

I was going to a job interview in a very important company, so I put my best suit on. While I was waiting at the bus stop I didn’t pay attention to a puddle near it, and when a car passed by at high speed it splashed me all over. I thank Saint Maroun because they were understanding in the company and valued my knowledge and not my appearance and they gave me a job.

Jeronimo Abascal \ Monterrey, Nuevo Leon