Jeronima Tiomitzi was carrying a jug full of pulque, and when she passed near a damned mule she received a kick in her coccyx. She gives thanks to the Child of Atocha for she has been recovered and the owner of the mule has repaid for her jug and pulque.

Puebla, 1920

Angelica G. had a fantasy of walking naked through the city streets. She thanks Saint Bruno with this retablo because her city celebrated a naked bike ride.

Señora Sandra Robledo was constantly having a dream in which she was raped by two devils. She prayed a lot to Saint Pancras, and those nightmares disappeared. She brings the present retablo in gratitude for this favor.

One of my mistress’ pets got sick, and, since no remedy would help it, I asked Saint Maroun to heal it because my mistress was very sad. And the other day the dog woke up healthy. I’m infinitely grateful for that.

Ramona Ruiz, Mexico, 1939

When he was preparing chicharones, a badass cat fell into the vat. He pulled him out well fried. He thanks Saint James for his customers didn’t notice it and, on the contrary, told him it was more delicious.

Totimehuacan, 1935
Justino Ramirez

The day of the fire my daughter was lost. Since we didn’t know anything about her, I implored the Child of Atocha. Now we know hat she ran away with a fireman. We thank with this retablo because she was about to become an old maid.

Puebla
Juaquina Lopez, 1953

Gregoria Romero brings this retablo to Saint Pancras in gratitude for her friend Frida is very happy with a parrot she brought her from Chiapas. The thing she likes the most about the bird that it’s very insolent, just like Diego.

Mexico, 1949

Arturo Contreras got involved with a 80-years old woman for her money. He thanks Saint James with the present retablo for, although it cost him a lot of work, but he passed this stage of his life.

1914, coming to Puebla, the federals were close on my heels. I entrusted myself to Saint Martin the Cavalryman and could escape safely so they didn’t catch me. I thank for this great favor.

Toribio Alvarado

Agustina Servantes went to the pond for water. Since it was late, she met a couple of coyotes. She thanks the Virgin of the Solitude for they didn’t catch her and she came back home safe.

Puebla, 1920

We all ran from my mother-in-law’s wake because the old lady gave us fright—she was lying down and then stood up. We thank Saint Pancras with this retablo because later she really died and didn’t kill anyone.

Puebla, 1915

When Petra Dominguez went to the river to do laundry, she passed by two gossip women who made a joke about her. Then she returned, grabbed them by the hair and kicked their asses. She thanks Saint Charbel for she didn’t drown them in the river.

Puebla, 1917

A picador Cirilo Tecanguey found himself in a great danger when the bull knocked him and the horse down. He thanks Saint Pancras for he didn’t get hurt and only hit his buttock.

Puebla, 1920