Holy Child of Atocha, I thank you for helping me that moment when I was so close to death. After my adversary jumped upon me and kicked me in the chest, I had a heart attack. Holy Child, I thank you for I survived.

Eduardo Lopez
Mexico City, 1957

Thank you, Virgin of Guadalupe, for protecting me. I had no light in my house, and since the electric company wouldn’t do anything, I decided to fix the wiring. While I was working I was hit by current and hanged on the pole. Thank goodness the pole strap kept me from falling.

Ernesto Castro
Mexico City, 1968

Holy Child of Atocha, I thank you for all your favors. It happened so I went to gather some food for a sick cow a day before I had to give birth. I gathered a very heavy basket, that’s why my contractions began while I was doing my laundry. Thanks goodness, my friend Ramona was near and she helped me. I was very sick, but the worst part was that a baby died. I thank the Holy Child for consoling me.

Elena Montes
Puente de Ixtla, Morelos, 1937

Holy Child of Atocha, I thank you for your favors. I was sleeping when suddenly felt something hit me. I tried to stand up but I couldn’t. The I was hit in the head and I lost conscience. Turned out it was a crane working those days, and it stroke my wall making it collapsed on me.

Miguel Galindo
Mexico City, 1983

Virgin of Guadalupe, thank you for helping me to quit my masochism obsession. I asked my partner to whip my ass with a belt because only this way I felt myself really satisfied.

Carlos Jalil
Mexico City, 1960

Saint Jude Thaddeus, thank you for the happiness you gave me—for The Cheeky. Every day on my way to the bakery, I saw a guy who stared at me. I always looked away and ignored him but one day I noticed that he was following me. Another day he slapped my ass. I felt embarrassed and became very nervous. That’s how I met Sotero and we became a couple.

Isaias Lugo
Guadalajara, Jalisco, 1960

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for her blessing to be the best prostitute in the neighborhood. Although I’m a robust woman, I have a lot of clients. They looked for my voluptuous form which are adored by the men.

Zulema “The Pretty One”
Mexico City, 1999

Thank you, Saint Charbel, for sending me the love of my life. Let my friends be critical about me for he’s much younger than me. But it’s not important because love sees no age. I want to open a restaurant for him because he’s a chef, a marvelous chef. Thank you, Saint Charbel.

Antonio Manzanarez
Mexico City, 1960

Lord of Chalma, thank you for helping me to survive the accident.

Mariano Torres
La Paz, Baja California Sur, 1964

Holy Shroud, thank you for your favor. My buddy Valeriano and I were drinking and heard a moan. We turned and saw a ghost of a little girl. We started cursing it and it disappeared.

Romulo Infante
Mexico City, 1953

Thank you, Saint Jude Thaddeus, for your favors. What a wonderful man Carlitos! He forgave me after I had cheated on him with a friend of his. I swear I’d never cheat on him again. He really cares about me and loves me very much. He spoils me, baths me and cooks for me. What else can I ask for?

Roman Lugo
Ixtapan de la Sal, 1963

Saint Francis, thank you for your help. My cutie pie and I were making love when I felt a bite on my leg. I turned to look what it was and saw a horrible snake. I screamed and then fainted. When I got conscious. I was in the hospital when they took care of me. I thank Saint Francis.

Mauro Moreno
Cuautla, Morelos, 1958

Cristoforo Buendia got furious because Lupe disregarded his wedding proposal. He shot Juana because she didn’t force Lupe to love him. Juana was wounded to death, but she swore to respect her daughter’s decision, even if she would be killed for it. Now Juana is out of danger. She offers this retablo to the Holy Face of God.

Zitacuaro, Michoacan, 1935