Flor Palomares

My son and I are from the United States, but we love Mexican culture, especially everything related to the traditions of the Day of the Dead. I’m infinitely grateful to Saint Christopher, with this exvoto, for we managed to travel to the Mexico City and enjoyed the parade of Katrinas and skeletons. It was a very beautiful and colorful experience.

Refugio Amezcua found himself in a serious danger when Evaristo Aguilar dragged him because of the borderland argument. He entrusted himself to Saint Christopher, and the rope broke, and he got free and safe. He brings this small retablo giving thanks.

Chanenetla, 1925

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I dedicate the present retablo to Saint Paschal Baylon thanking him because my grandmother Petra instilled me love for the kitchen since childhood. She was a great cook, and I inherited this from her. I discovered my vocation, and I’m a professional chef now. I proudly bring the taste of the traditional Mexican cuisine to the entire world.

Catalina Muñoz / Oaxaca, Mexico

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Every November 2, I go to the cemetery to visit my dead father and to bring him flowers and candles. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe with this retablo for, despite the modern age and the passage of time, this beautiful tradition didn’t go away. We remember our dear ones who are not with us physically anymore, and it gives us hope to see them again one day.

San Andres Mixquic, Mexico

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

Tlaxcala, Mexico

I was very desperate when I was fired from my job. I didn’t know how to feed my family. Then I got an idea to sell tacos at night outside my house. I asked Saint Charbel for help, and thanks to his divine assistance the things are going very well. My tacos have become very famous in the neighborhood.

Jasinto Ruiz \ Mexico City

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Happened so that in June, in the municipality of Chignahuapan, Puebla, an epidemic broke out among señor Hilario Sanchez’ animals. Finding himself in such distress, he asked, with all his heart, Saint Anthony the Great to not let the animals die. In few days they were cured. He dedicates this humble retablo for such a great miracle.

My brother was very jealous and was kicking all my suitors out. I was worried and afraid that I might end up being an old maid. I thank the Virgin of San Juan, with all my heart, because one day came the revolutionaries and took my brother to fight along with them. So now I can relax with my beloved one.

Yolanda Garcia — Piedras Negras, Coahuila

They didn’t accept me in the village for being gay. So I decided to go to the city. But I had no money, and I didn’t know anyone there. I thank Saint Sebastian who send good people on my path. They give me food and shelter. Although I had to devote myself to prostitution for several years, thanks to that I managed to do surgery and also paid my studies. Now I lead a quiet life, I had a good job and enjoy my identity as a woman.

When I was very young, I had a beautiful experience of meeting Pedro Infante in person. He was shooting a movie in a few blocks from my house. Every day I was going to look him acting, and one day, after the filming, he came to me and gave me his sombrero. I thank Saint James the Apostle for having lived this moment which I never forget and for having this memory about my idol.

Teresita Islas \ Mexico City

I thank Saint Paschal because, this season of chiles en nogada, I was selling them very good. Many people ask me what’s the secret of its taste. And I answer that it’s the love I put into them while cooking and my eternal devotion to Saint Paschal.

Carmelita Reyes

Cholula, Puebla

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My children and I give infinite thanks to Our Lady of Guadalupe for taking care of us on our way across the border because the guide who took us to the United States betrayed and left us alone in the desert. But thanks to her divine help we managed to get through it.

Sonora, Mexico

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I give thanks to Saint Jude Thaddeus for letting me to put my offerings once again this year. It’s very important for me to never forget my beloved ones, and I fell them even closer to me during these All Saints’ feasts. I know they are happy to come and enjoy what I put, with great love, to their altar.

Adelaida Reyes ~ Oaxaca, Mexico