I dedicate this to Juan Diego because Miguel stayed in my apartment to live with me and go on with our relationship without being afraid what his family—which is very opposed to it—would say. He made his mind when I proposed him, and now we are happy together.

Raymundo Cuevas
Col. Condesa, Mexico City, February 14, 1990

Our life was unhappy. With all economic troubles, my only son and I lack communication and I didn’t pay attention who his friends were. His school friend introduced him to drugs, and they start to take them together. In tears I implored the Virgin of Guadalupe to help me save my son. And she heard me. I show my gratitude with this retablo.

Angela del Valle
San Pedro de los Pinos, Mexico City
December 17, 2001

May you be blessed, Holy Child of Atocha, for sending me Arturo. Since we met each other, I found happiness. Although I’m not a woman, he fell in love with me. And I just adore him because I fell in love with him from the first sight. I promised to offer a retablo if he agrees to be my partner. So some time after he asked me to move in with him. I make this retablo about this nice favor you made me because I’m very happy to be with Arturo.

Jose Reyes Maria
Guadalajara, Jalisco, 1960

My son Ramon used to tease Saul Algumedo’s dogs. But one day the most angry dog started chasing him. The Holy Virgin of Zapopan protected the boy, so he climbed up a tree. The dog just tore his clothes. But Ramon doesn’t tease dogs ever since.

Puebla, 1970

Forgive me, God, for lacking respect for my father. When I came home on drugs, I tried to beat him, but realized what I was doing and stopped myself. I understood my mistake and I swear to not take drugs anymore. I follow his advice, and he forgot me and helped me to get out of this terrible sin.

Paco, Barrio Norte, 10 May 2000

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for bringing my husband back from the USA. He used to work as a waiter in a restaurant in one of the twin towers in New York. When I saw this on TV, I prayed the Virgin for divine protection and help, and she heard my prayers.

Delfina Montes from here, Mexico City
September 29, 2001

Lord of Chalma, thank you because my wife with my kids have returned to me. She left me because I used to get drunk, to spend all days in the bar and to beat her and kids, when I came home. When I was all alone, as a dog, I realized I couldn’t live without them. I stopped drinking and begged her with tears to come back. There have been 10 years without me drinking.

Jeronimo Urbina
Tacubaya, Mexico City, 1990

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for curing my sheep. They were dying of a horrible disease which no remedy could cure. I prayed to your divine image, and now my sheep are healthy. I offer you this retablo as gratitude.

Juventino
Pueblo Nuevo, 1945

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for helping me to find a job of mariachi here in Garibaldi after being kicked out from a butcher shop where I had worked before. As I promised, every morning now I sing to you.

Tiodoro Aguilar from Xochimilco
December 12, 1970

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, I’m bringing you this retablo thanking for curing my husband Filemon Garcia of horrible diarrhea with high fever. It all began after one drunk night he had. My husband was dying and no remedy could help him. But I entrusted him to you, and he’s cured now.

Dominga
Chimalistac, Mexico City
December 12, 1930

I thank the Lord of the Miracles for I found my son Jacinto Torres. He was kidnapped by a drunk who treated him badly and forced him to beg money.

Maria Lopez
April 30, 1931 — Uruapan, Michoacan

Thank you, Our Father, for letting us get back to the convent. During our mission we were attacked by people who didn’t know any religion at all. However we hope you would forgive them.

Brother Jose and brother Benito
March 3, 1943 — Mexico City

I ordered this retablo to Saint Jude Thaddeus as I had promised. It was my first time and I’ll never forget it. I was 17 and I knew how to use condom for protection from infection. I had a lot of fun with a prostitute. When I saw how voluptuous she was, I was aching to go in hotel with her. It happened in Sulivan, Mexico, on Friday, August 16, 2002.