Señora S. T. was having sex with her partner when she suddenly got an uncontrollable diarrhea and smeared everything around. She thanks Saint Maroun because the man was understanding and didn’t dump her. She promises to not eat too much street junk-food anymore.

With this humble retablo, I thank the Holy Child of Atocha for protecting me on every November 2. This night my bar is filled with the souls of the dead from the village. They come very happy to celebrate their holiday with a lot of music and mezcal.

Ramiro Dominguez \ Zacatecas, Mexico

M.G. brings this retablo as gratitude to Saint Elias for getting pregnant after having sex with her partner on the river, although they were almost dragged by the current.

Felipe and Rosa Morales thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for saving us from dying being hit by a bus with no breaks at the Coyote Slope.

August 19, 1962

I thank the Virgin of San Juan for helping me to get safe and sound to the United States, because we crossed the desert.

Sr. Nicolas Prieto Arredondo Salano
August 10, 1977, Morelia, Michoacan

It was late when we left the wedding celebration of our cousin Filemon. We were riding back home, and the devil himself appeared to us. He blocked our way and wanted to take us with him. But since my brother and I always wear the Virgin of San Juan’s medallions, we showed them to the devil, and he didn’t dare to come closer. He vanished with a smoke leaving the sulphur stink. We thank the Virgin for protecting us.

At the Christmas party in the neighborhood, I went to put some liquor in my punch. Since I was already tipsy I got into the piñata event and was kicked in the head. I give thanks to the Holy Child of Atocha because I got only the lump. I promise not to drink so much on December holidays.

Celedonio Hernandez \ Zacatecas, Mexico

Rodrigo Menendez was selling bananas at the market, and one day one of his customers was bitten by a viper that jumped out of the fruits. He thanks Saint Francis of Assisi for this snake turned out to be non-venomous because the health control was going to throw him in jail.

My father gave me a horse. But it was so wild he threw me every time. With every fall I hurt myself, but the worst was that I became a joke for everybody at the ranch. I ask the Virgin of San Juan, with all my faith, to help me. Finally I managed to tame the horse. Now my father is very proud of me.

Ponciano Aguilar \ Guadalajara, Jalisco

I bring the present retablo thanking Saint Peregrin because his friend the artist Frida is feeling much better and enjoying the company of her pets.

Mexico, 1950

Señora Sara Muñoz Flores thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for saving my husband from dying when he ate some tacos and caught an infection from the bad meat and was about to die.

April 2, 1970

One morning my beautiful Clarita didn’t wake up. We were devastated since she was our first daughter. We took her to bury dressed in white like a little angel. And then she suddenly woke up just like that. We dedicate this retablo to the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe.

Help me, Virgin, to make the animals understand that they have to be eaten on your holiday.