I give thanks to Saint Anthony the Great for having found a loyal dog who has become my real guard. I always go out to my garden to take the sun but my nosy neighbor used to look at me and pester me, and I felt insecure and uncomfortable. But now my Spike protects me.

Valentina Segura ~ Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon

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

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for the miracle that my children, who had gone to the other side as illegals, returned to our village and now we all together work with our livestock, for which I dedicate this retablo.

Felipa Toxqui
Calpan, 1955

There was a colleague of mine who was envious of me because my breast is bigger than hers and for that I got more clients. She was pestering me, and the other night I couldn’t take it no more and we grabbed each other by the hair. I thank Saint Ignatius of Loyola because I won the fight and she stopped bothering me. Now I can work at my corner in peace.

It was very hard for me to live in the country because I felt that I was different but my family and friends didn’t understand me. I thank Saint Martha for giving me courage to go to the city and there I could develop my personality. Now I’m a successful stylist, and I’m proud of my sexual preferences.

Inocencio Pascual ~ Michoacan, Mexico

I give infinite thanks to Saint Peter with this simple exvoto for having spent the three best days of my life on a desert island with two gringo tourists. I took them for a ride, and my boat broke down, and it took a long time to rescue us, so I took a rest from cries and complaints of my crazy wife.

Inocencio Cortes ~ Acapulco, Guerrero

My mother told me not to eat the offerings we put to my grandfather on the Day of the Dead because if I do eat he would come at night and grab my legs. I didn’t believe it and I secretly ate some pastry from the altar. That night I was woken by my grandfather’s spirit. He was very angry and scolded me. I prayed the Lord of the Wonders, and little by little the spirit disappeared. For that I promise not to be so naughty and gluttonous.

Luisito Rodriguez ~ Puebla, Mexico

My husband and I were going through a marriage crisis. We even went through family therapy but it didn’t work. I didn’t want to divorce him but I didn’t know what to do. I’m infinitely grateful to Saint Anthony of Padua because I got an idea to invite my husband to the Zipolite nudist beach for a week-end. It revived the flame of our love, and now we love each other as much as when we were newlyweds.

Diana R., Oaxaca

The other night an ugly fat man came to our corner, and no one from my friends wanted to go with him. So we decided to draw straws between us, I lost and had to go with him to the motel. I thank Saint James the Apostle with this exvoto because it went really well, he payed me triple for my services and treated me very good.

Natasha

I give infinite thanks, with this humble retablo, to Saint Toribio Romo for having found a good family who hired me as a gardener and treats me very good. Being an illegal immigrant here in USA, I was very much worried about finding a good job. But now I’m very happy that I can send money back to my family in Mexico because they need it very much.

Eulalio Lopez ~ Los Angeles, California

When I came to the city to study in the university I didn’t have enough money to pay rent by myself alone. I found out that one girl, my fellow student, was looking for a girl neighbor to share an apartment with. Then I got an idea to tell her that I’m a gay so she would accept me. I give thanks to Saint Patrick because she didn’t find out that I’m a heterosexual so I could enjoy looking at her almost naked for she is very beautiful.

I was teaching my daughter to cook because she was about to get married. We were chatting and didn’t notice that we had left such a strong flame that the kitchen got on fire. I was very upset and implored Saint Paschal for help. I found a pot with water and splashed it avoiding a much bigger fire. I fervently thank for that.

Refugio Camacho ~ Puebla

1937, in Mexico, Juaquin Fernandez found himself in a difficult situation when he was caught under his girlfriend’s bed and taken for a thief. He entrusted himself to Saint Raymond and didn’t suffer any harm but got married instead. He gives thanks for such a unique favor.