The Garcia brothers, Silvestre and Valentin, thank the Virgin of Guadalupe, from the bottom of their hearts, for a gift to perform charreria. They’re very proud of making this mostly Mexican sport famous all over the world.

Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

Sophie Jones, an American, went to Puebla, and one evening she met Valentin Enriquez, who was painting in the Artist neighborhood. Sophie thanks Saint Anthony of Padua because Valentin turned out to be the love of her life. Sophie married him and stayed with him in this beautiful country.

Puebla, 1982

The Dominguez brothers— Adelaido, Benito and Castulo—thanks the Virgin of the San Juan for winning the first place on the regional dance contest with their dance of quetzals which they had been studying with so much pride since they were kids.

San Miguel Tzinacapan, Puebla

Thank you, Saint Isidor the Laborer, for having heard my prayers, so my first harvest of marigold flowers was very good. Now I’m going to sell them at the cemeteries on the Day of the Dead.

Filomena Tepox
Atlixco, Puebla

When I came to work to the Sanchez’ house, I had a lot of troubles with Amelia 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. So I was left in peace.

Juanita Toxqui
Cholula, Puebla

I was desperate when I was fired. I didn’t know how to support my family. Then I had an idea to sell tacos at night. I asked the Virgin of Juquila for help, and thanks to her divine assistance the things are going very well. My tacos are the best in the neighborhood.

Magdaleno Romero
Mexico City

I thank Saint Pancras for protection me every November 2, because that night my bar is filled with the souls of the dead of the town. They come very cheerful to celebrate their Feast with music and mezcal.

Filomeno Arriaga
Oaxaca, Mexico

With this retablo, the trapeze artist Maximino Casas give thanks to Saint Barbara for protecting him during his debut in the Chispa circus. He was very nervous and, in spite of practicing a lot, was afraid of falling down. But everything went well.

San Luis Potosi, Mexico

There was a legend in my town about a ghost of a villista who rode the horse on the Night of All Saints. I never believed that but that night I drank too much mezcal and on my way back to my hut I bumped into that ghost. He told me to go with him to the Revolution. I prayed the Virgin of San Juan, and that moment the ghost disappeared. I thank for I didn’t die of fear.

Feliciano Piña
Durango, Mexico

November 2, the brothers Cosme and Basilio Trejo went to the cemetery to drink. There they met a mister sitting on a grave who wanted to give them a chest full of gold so they could continue to go on with their vice. Suddenly, they noticed that it was a dead man who was speaking with them. They implored Saint Benedict for protecting them so nothing bad happened to them. They promised to cut off drinking and to respect the dead.

Oaxaca

I thank Saint Martin the Cavalryman for helping me with so many customers who come to buy my tamales. I had no job and then I suddenly found my mother’s recipe of tamales with mole, rajas and sweet green sauce. The people love it very much.

Cresencio Dominguez
Zacatlan, Puebla

One evening I was coming back from the town and a tremendous downpour began. Suddenly, a lightning struck and scared the horses in the corral. One of them jumped over the fence going over me. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for the horse didn’t hit me, and I only got scared.

Apolonia García
Zapopan, Jalisco

I thank Saint Martin the Cavalryman for helping my husband with job. So we could pay all our debts and celebrate christmas holidays with family.

Josefa Molina
Pachuca, Hidalgo