I dedicate the present retablo to Saint Anne for granting me a miracle of being able to organize my Britney Guadalupe’s 15th birthday party. It was my dream since I had no such celebration. I was selling everything: tupperware, clothes, shoes, makeup by catalog and even tamales on Sundays. But it worth to see my little girl as a princess, so happy on her special day.

Carmelita Perez \ Morelia, Michoacan

I thank Saint Jude Thaddeus because I’m doing very well selling quesadillas and memelas here in the city. I have many clients who love my snacks. Back in the village I had no job, and the city people are very good with me. For such a miracle I dedicate the present retablo.

Juanita Toxqui \ Puebla

One night, after leaving work I went to a bar with my colleagues and drank nonstop. There I met a stunning woman whom I invited to a hotel. I was very excited for being able to score her. I give infinite thanks to Saint Sebastian because, although I was pretty drunk, I realized—before spending a night together—that it was a man dressed like a woman. I promise to be more careful when I’m having fun.

Adrian Gutierrez \ Tijuana, Baja California

I was going out with two guys at the same time because I couldn’t decide whom to choose for a boyfriend. I was thinking they would find out, but last Saturday I went to the movies with one of them and there I saw, to my fear, my second suitor sitting right in front of us. I thank Saint Raymond because he was so entertained with the movie he didn’t see me with another guy and didn’t find out about my cheating.

Laura Ortiz \ Tepic, Nayarit

With great devotion, I dedicate this retablo to the Lord of the Wonders for the miracle that I managed to buy new oven on wheels to grill sweet potatoes. Now I can support my family selling sweet potatoes.

Filomeno Telles – Puebla, 1970

The Tlatempa brothers dedicate the present retablo to the Virgin of Guadalupe because she always protects them at their performances. They are the flying men of the village and are keeping this family tradition of many years.

Papantla, Veracruz, 1940

November 2, Basilio and Eladio Perez went to the cemetery to drink and met one mister who sat on a grave. He wanted to give them a chest full of gold so they would keep enjoying their sin, but suddenly the brothers realized it was a skeleton who spoke with them. They thank Saint James the Apostle for they managed to escape safe and sound. They promise to cut down on booze and respect the dead.

Oaxaca, 1950

I bring the present retablo to Saint Jude Thaddeus for the miracle that I managed to buy a little car for myself, although I have to pay by installments. But it was a real martyrdom to run after the minibuses every day. And the worst part was that they were always crowded and I had to put up with smelly armpits and body sweats as well as elbowing and stomping.

Zoila Perez, Mexico City

Mercedes Ramirez wholeheartedly thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for the miracle that her husband Juan came back from the United States to spend Christmas and New Year with her and their two little kids. He was gone for entire year, and they couldn’t see him and missed him very much.

Puebla, Mexico

I invited my girlfriend to spend Christmas at my family’s house. When everybody went to sleep we made love on the couch in the living-room. We couldn’t imagine that my uncle Modesto got an idea to dress up as Santa Claus and to enter the house through the window to put the Christmas presents. He caught as in the act. I thank Saint Nicholas of Bari for we managed to convince my uncle to keep this secret since we were dying of embarrassment.

I thank Saint Paschal Baylon with this retablo for having met my Maria. I love Mexican food, and she is an excellent cook. I used to travel a lot to Mexico for my work, then we met and got married and I stayed here. I’m very happy because she cooks for me, with great love, mole, quesadillas, chalupas, tacos and many other delicious dishes.

Robert Johnson \ Mexico City

Mercedes Salazar wholeheartedly thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for the miracle that her husband Alberto came back from the United States to spend Christmas and New Year with her and their two little kids. He was gone for entire year, and they couldn’t see him and missed him very much.

Puebla

My rooster El Dorado came out from a fight badly injured and couldn’t heal. I prayed Saint Anthony the Great to make a miracle of healing my rooster, and few days after it was recovered. My rooster became even stronger than ever and the week after won over El Pinto, which was a very fierce rooster. Now my roster is the best in the region, and I dedicate this retablo for that, with devotion.

Macario Trujillo ~ Guanajuato, Mexico