To show a girl I liked how brave I am, I agreed to do a rollercoaster ride. She loved extreme rides. And I, being at the top, felt terrible. I got a fear of hight and my stomach was upset. I infinitely thank the Holy Child of Atocha for getting through this horrible ride. I promise to be sincere and to tell that I don’t love strong sensations.

Valentin Fuentes \ Guadalajara, Jalisco

My husband loved dancing a lot, and I preferred not to because I had two left feet. Then I found out that my husband was going to the cabaret just to dance, and just thinking of him being in the arms of another woman—even just for dances—made me frantic. I prayed the Virgin of Zapopan, and my friend Lolita gave me dancing lessons. By a miracle, I learned something, and now I’m dancing with my husband and feel myself much confident.

The farmer Angulo Barbosa was worrying because he had no money to buy seeds. He entrusted himself to Saint Sebastian de Aparicio, and the next day he met the artists Frida who lent him the necessary sum. He gives infinite thanks for such an extraordinary favor.

Puebla, 1942

The jockey Alberto Chavez fell off his horse during a race, and another horse ran over him. He was in bad condition. He implored the Holy Child of Atocha and got completely recovered. He thanks for that.

The pig’s ghost came in during our celebration. Thanks to the Virgin it didn’t spoil our fun.

1975, Rosario

Nothing serious happened.

Señora Roberta Garcia brings this retablo to Saint Francis thanking him because her little dog won the contest and was named the best of the show.

Raymundo Alatriste, a watchman at the archeological zone in La Venta, Tabasco, saw a flying saucer. It had a transparent cabin on the top, so he could see the extraterrestrials inside. It also had a sphere at the bottom, but metallic. The UFO was shining brightly and blowing a green steam. After making few rounds it flew away. Raymundo entrusted himself to Saint Martin de Porres and offers him this retablo.

Tabasco, 1967

May 17, 1951, during my act at the Union circus, a furios lion attacked me. My life was in danger, and I entrusted myself to the Virgin of Guadalupe of Mexico. I was saved, and I bring you this retablo in gratitude.

Francisco Torres, animal tamer

I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of Candelaria because she blessed me with a very beautiful body, although I have very short legs. Thanks to my beauty I was able to become an exotic dancer in a very refined gentleman’s club.

I thank Saint Quiteria of Frexeiras for chasing away a devil in woman disguise from my son. Her damned tongue caused me a lot of troubles.

It was a miracle worked by Saint Quiteria of Frexeiras when she healed my swollen right leg.

Olimpio Campos de Albuquerque
Alagoinha, PB

Higinio Rojas was installing an antenna on the roof of his new house when he was struck by a lighting. He thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for he wasn’t fried with it but got just few burns.

Alberto Mendoza thanks the Virgin of San Juan for saving him from dying when his horse got mad. In this mortal danger I entrusted myself to you to be saved from dying.

Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico
October 11, 1985