In times of the Revolution I was unlucky to run into bandits who weren’t satisfied by taking my horse and my belongings but also decided to hang me on a tree. I wholeheartedly entrusted myself to the Virgin of San Juan, and when they left leaving me hanging there the rope miraculously broke down saving my life.

Leandro Garcia ~ San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Our mariachi band singer got sick, and we didn’t know what to do. So our violinist Lupita offered herself to substitute her and she told us that she sings beautifully. We were surprised because it wasn’t true and, instead of singing, she screamed like a dog run over by a car. With all our hearts, we thank Saint Cecily for our main singer recovered her health because those days with Lupita were a real torture and we were frightened to be kicked out of the restaurant we played in.

Mariachi “Sun of Tlaquepaque”, Jalisco

I dedicate this humble retablo to Saint Clare for having won the lottery. I bought a ticket and was lucky to win 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 going after me. I can go out with everyone I want, and they see me as a handsome guy.

Anacleto Perez ~ Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Don Luciano Jimenez dedicate this humble retablo to the Virgin of Zapopan, as a token of gratitude, because he had good harvest of agaves this year. There was bad weather in the region the last season and he lost big part of his crop. It worried him very much because he and all his family depends on the agaves.

Tequila, Jalisco. Mexico

My throat was inflamed and I couldn’t sing. I almost lost my voice. I entrusted myself, with great devotion, to the Holy Child Doctor of the Ill to heal me. The Child helped me, and now I’m singing again and eve better than ever. I thank for that with this retablo.

Lucha Gituerrez — Chihuhua, 1938

I bought a piñata for my son Beto’s birthday because he wanted it so much. I put a blindfold on his eyes and, as a joke, turned him around many times to make him dizzy. But he ended up confusing me with the piñata and began to beat me with a stick. I thank the Virgin of San Juan because his grandmother could stop him before he smashed me.

Jacinto Ruiz ~ Queretaro, Mexico

My girlfriend’s father was a very strict and jealous farmer. She told me that he was scaring all her suitors and was telling that no one deserves his daughter. I thank the Virgin of San Juan because we got along well and he accepted me because he realized that I really love his daughter, and he sees me like a son.

Saul Fuentes ~ Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

For the last 25 years I’ve been working as a watchman in the Mummies museum in Guanajuato. Although it’s been a long time, I couldn’t get over the fear of staying with mummies at nights. I thank Saint Benedict for giving me his protection since I haven’t seen or experienced anything supernatural.

Abelino Gutiérrez \ Guanajuato, Mexico

I give infinite thanks to Saint Augustine for having met a good man who loves me and wants me as I am. He’s just made me a marriage proposal, and my past as prostitute didn’t affect him. Because of my type of living, I didn’t imagine I’d find love, and now I’m very happy with the opportunity to have a family.

Selene R. ~ Tijuana, Baja California

Daniel C. brings this humble exvoto to Saint Bruno with his deep gratitude for nobody found out about this grave mistake he committed at his last drinking spree. He went in a motel to spend the night with a chick he met in a bar few hours before. The next morning he woke up and saw with great horror that it was a guy, and he ran out of here.

Mexicali, Baja California

In my family we used to bring offerings to our dead relatives. But when I became independent and began to live alone, I felt too lazy to put an altar and decided to decorate my house for Halloween instead. The night of the Day of the Dead I was greatly frightened by seeing that my grandparents appeared to me and they were very angry with me for not giving them offerings. I thank Saint Michael for they didn’t take me to a better world, and I promise not to forget my Mexican traditions.

One night I went to have few drinks with my colleagues, and I came home with great desire to get romantic with my wife. But I was so drunk I mistakenly entered my mother-in-law’s room. I thank Saint James the Apostle because my wife entered right before I got horny with the lady.

Benito Buendia ~ Tepic, Nayarit

My wife’s best friend flirted with me a lot but I didn’t pay any attention to it until one day she went absolutely shameless and tried to seduce me. Unfortunately, my wife saw us. I thank Saint Pancras with this exvoto for I managed to convince my wife that I was innocent, since she was so angry she wanted to divorce me and I didn’t want to lose her because I really love her very much.

Fidel Caballero ~ Torreon, Coahuila