My beloved Simon moved out from our village with his parents. He promised me to come back to marry me. All that time I was praying Saint Anthony of Padua for the miracle so Simon would turn back as soon as possible because I was missing him very much. I asked so that Simon won’t forget about me. Some time later he came back fulfilling his promise. We are happy together and love each other very much. I dedicate this retablo for that.

Rosalinda Reyes
Tlaxcala, 1954

I dedicate this humble retablo to Saint Patrick for having won the lottery. I bought a ticket and won a jackpot. When I was poor no woman wanted even to talk with me cause I was ugly. But now when I’m a millionaire, the most beautiful women looking for me. I can go out with everyone I want, and they see me as a handsome guy.

Anacleto Perez
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

My husband used to spent his days wathicng videos on the internet. He disregarded his obligations as the head of the family. I was in despair and was about to leave him. Then I prayed Saint Martha, and little by little my husband realized his mistake. He has turned to be good husband and resposnable father as he’d been before. I dedicate this humble retablo for that.

Soledad Flores
Tampico, Tamaulipas

I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for being a part of the folk dance group of my state. In this way, I’ve been able to travel around the world and to show a little bit the colors of my beloved Mexico. I dedicate this humble retablo for that.

Guadalupe Soriano
Guadalajara, Jalisco

The other day, I was riding my horse El Rayo (The Lightning), when a rattlesnake came out from rocks and scared my horse very much. I thank Saint Philomena for I was able to control my horse that was very nervous, and didn’t fell, and avoided the danger.

Cayetano Hernandez
Durango, Durango

I was looking over the beautiful shaped legs of the girl from the flower shop near my car service and didn’t notice an opened manhole on the street and that I was going to fell into it. I than Saint Clare for the blows weren’t so bad, it was the situation itself was embarrassing. I promise not to be such a voyeur anymore.

Liborio Apanco
Queretaro, Mexico

The Jimenez sisters, Petrita and Juanita, dedicate this humble retablo to Saint Anthony of Padua for receiving a favor. Their boyfriends has come back home. The went to the capital for work to make some money to marry the sisters. The girls were afraid the guys forgot about them but now they’re back and keep their promises. The sisters are very happy and are planning the weddings.

Monclova, Coahuila

I didn’t expect to inherit corn fields after one of my distant uncle’s death. But my mother gave me an idea to sell sweet corn on the streets. I thank the Virgin of Juquila because the sales are going well and I’m much better as a vendor than as a farmer.

Felipe Carrion
Iztapalapa, Mexico City

The night of November 1, I was at the cemetery and was scared to death when I saw with my own eyes a deadman. He was about to get buried but suddenly he opened the lid of his coffin and wanted to get out of it. I entrusted myself to Saint Benedict and ran to my house. The next day, I quit this job, and I think I’d never set my foot in the cemetery again.

Celestino Morales
Zacatecas, Mexico

My mother-in-law Tamborina Sanchez Aldama used to put false ideas in my wife’s head. She was telling her that I might have another family, that I was flirting with other women, that I was spending all my money for booze, and other stupid things. One day she was in hurry to get to our house to tell my wife that I had a son on the side. But she had an accident at the corner. There were sewerage works going on and she didn’t notice an opened manhole which she fell into. She was in come when they got her out. I thank Saint Sebastian de Aparicio for that. Now her lies won’t ruin my marriage. Besides, everything she had been telling about me eventually turned out to be just fantasies in her head—which by a true miracle doesn’t function anymore.

Apolonio Rosas de Cacho
Teteles de Avila Castillo, Puebla, 1996

I was very hurt because my boyfriend had cheated on me with another woman. So the other night, I went to drink at the bar. But I drank too much and totally lost my good sense. The next morning, I woke up in a motel room with a stranger. I thank Saint Elias for I didn’t get pregnant nor did I catch any sexually transmitted disease. I promise to be more responsible and not to do such stupid things anymore.

Ericka R.
Mérida, Yucatán

With this humble retablo, I thank Saint Michael the Archangel for I’ve found a job near my home. Before I used to take subway at peak hours to get to my old job. It was full, and there were men who were feeling me up and groping me. It was so disgusting. May you be blessed.

Celia Carbajal, Mexico City

One evening, when I was in the mountains, it started raining very hard. My sheep got so scared they ran and lost me. It brought me a deep sorrow, and I implored to Saint Francis of Assisi with all my faith. Three days later, I found my sheep in the field. They were alright and no one missing. I give thanks for such a big miracle.

Cecilio Perez
Zacapoaxtla, Puebla