May 4, the boy Fidel was swinging and the rope broke. He fell and hit his head. His brother saw him lying like dead and prayed to the Virgin of San Juan so that everything would end well. And that moment, Fidel got up like nothing had happened.

Fidel and Julio Villacamacho
Puebla, Puebla — May 7, 1980

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe and the Lord of Chalma because I survived after being stubbed by my buddy who thought that I was flirting with his girlfriend.

Luis Manuel Plata
Mexico City — December 12, 1997

Virgin of San Juan, thank you because the doña Chole’s dog didn’t do any harm to me and only took sausages that my mother had asked me to buy.

Juan Manuel Nuñes
Tacubaya, Mexico City
August 1, 1980

Efigenio Villa dedicates this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan for saving him from dying after being hit by a car with the failed brakes. So he got a second chance in life, and he promises to stop drinking.

Mexico City
November 25, 1990

Saint Sebastian, I dedicate you this retablo. After I saw Mario in the bar with another man, I met Felipe. He helped me to forget about the treason of that swine. Now, when we had a relationship, I ask you to take care of us, so that nothing would separate us.

Santiago
Condeza, Mexico City
February 14, 2000

Joel was working in the corn field when his pig escaped. Joel was sad, but we prayed to you, Virgin of San Juan, so you’d help us to find it. Don Pepe brought it back, and we dedicate this retablo to you.

The Morales’ ranch
San Francisco Chimalpa
June 15, 1990

I was coming back from a party when I met a couple of bastards. They wanted to beat me for being dude. I entrusted myself to you, Virgin of San Juan, asking to not let them do harm to me. Then a man arrived and defended me.

Ricardo “The Charisma”
Minas de Cristo, Mexico City
May 17, 2000

I thank the Virgin of Gudalupe for finding out about the viagra. I wanted doña Lucha for a long time, but because of my problem I couldn’t do anything. But now I’m feeling myself like a young guy, despite being 63 years old.

Felipe Luna
Norte, Mexico City
July 24, 2003

I work as a prostitute. When I refused to go with one drunk guy he beat me. I thought I was going to die. I entrusted myself to the Virgin of San Juan, asking to save my life. Now I give thanks for that.

Lupe, “Bootyfull”
Merced, Mexico City
February 10, 1999

Sign on the pharmacy: “For those who prefer big condoms, 2×1”

July 18, I was feeding my father’s piglets when they suddenly attacked me. I thought this was the end for me. I prayed to the Virgin of Guadalupe, and my uncle arrived and saved me from the pigs.

Pedro Linares
Islahuaca, Mexico
July 25, 1989

We, Jose, Luis and Pablo Martinez, dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of Juquila. Our border crossing guide left us but then came back. So we managed to get to New York and make a lot of dollars. Now we are going back to Mexico and we thank you for protecting us during these three years abroad.

Puebla — July 18, 1999

We dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan for a great fishing. Thanks to that I managed to save money for my daughter Laura’s 15th birthday.

Juan and his son Pablo Megia
Veracruz, Mexico
September 11, 2001

May you be blessed God for saving us from dying in the September 11 attacks on the Twin Towers because we were late for work in the restaurant in one of the towers.

Pablo Montes and Gustavo Padilla
Puebla, Puebla
October 7, 2001