When I was a child, I was very insecure because of my obesity. Other kids joked about me, and it made me more depressed so I kept eating and gaining more weight. I thank Saint Clare for making me to reconsider my life and straighten it. With exercises and willpower, I’ve become a healthy and confident man, and even got lucky with women.

Leopoldo Carranza \ Tijuana, Baja California

R. S. was addicted to sleep with many men at the same time. With the present retablo, she thanks Saint Raymond for giving her enough willpower to overcome her perversion.

The day of my wedding, Manuel Martinez returned to the town. He was the love of my life, and I thought he’d never come back. I thank the Holy Virgin of the Rosary for I didn’t commit an error of marrying a man I didn’t love and only because I wouldn’t like to stay an old maid.

Raquel Diaz

My son Gregorio was slightly crazy. He made himself wings from chicken feathers and jumped off the highest tree. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for the miracle that he was able to flap his wings a little bit—enough to land without killing himself. Although he fell on a cactus and got hurt by the spines, he didn’t break his bones for which I infinitely thank.

Virgin of San Juan, I thank you for giving me the courage to come through the surgery. Now I look exactly as I feel myself inside—a complete woman.

Fernando “La Paloma”
Tacubaya, Mexico City, March 14, 2000

My daughters, instead of sleeping, secretly went to look on the newborn calf. When they came to the corral they saw the ghost of the Weeping Woman who started to chase them. They ran to the house and got sick with fear. For the next two days they were sharing and having nightmares. I prayed the Virgin of the Rosary, and she worked a miracle. Their fear has gone, and the girls sleep well now.

We dedicate this retablo to Saint Peter because we hot a job at the State Fair.

May you be blessed, Saint Sebastian, because Marta came to live with me. We are happy together because we love each other very much and aren’t afraid to be who we are.

Marta and Luisa, Tacubaya, 1987

Our family had financial problems but the Virgin of the Solitude inspired me to sell the flowers from my garden at the market. Now I’m happy because I cover our expenses by growing and selling flowers which I enjoy greatly.

The Garcia family had the misfortune to have their house destroyed by tornado. They thank Saint Patrick because nobody got hurt and they managed to rebuild their home.

Chihuahua

On the day of our wedding there were so many children and doves near by the church doors. It’s a good omen that means many years of happiness. We thank Saint Anthony for his blessing.

Thank you, Virgin of Guadalupe for saving me from my old lady Petronila’s machete, when she furiously attacked me, because I hadn’t been at home for four days, drinking pulque with my buddy El Chipujas. My old lady came and started swinging machete.

Nopaltepec
October 10, 1930

The young man Humberto Ortiz thanks Saint Pancras with this retablo for helping him to win the hamburger eating contest. He received a delicious price, although he got in the hospital after the contest.