Pascual Diaz was in the mountains, and some very drunk skeletons appeared to him. They tried to take him with them. But I implored the Holy Face, and you saved me.

Chihuahua, 1942

I had to carry the firework bull at the feast of the town’s patron saint. But they put too much powder in, I was afraid to burn myself with the fireworks. I entrusted myself to the Virgin of Guadalupe so she would help me, and thanks to her divine help nothing happened to me. I thank for that with this humble retablo.

Bonifacio Negrete \ Zacapoaxtla, Puebla

A horde of squirrels invaded the people’s houses. They were eating all the food, but the worst part was that they were smashing and dropping everything around. But thanks to our prayers to Saint Francis, a new restaurant with delicious food was opened in our town. So the squeamish squirrels lost their interest in our houses and went to destroy the restaurant.

Being sailor’s daughter and grand-daughter, my daughter Aurora was able to hear the mermaid songs. I was worried seeing her running every night to the edge of the cliff captivated by the mermaids’ voices. They called her to go with them, and I ran to hold her because this singing seemed to hypnotize her. I prayed Saint Barbara for help, and she worked a miracle. Now my daughter doesn’t hear their songs. She like me hears just a distant echo.

The pig jumped on me when I was about to cook it. Thanks for it didn’t reach me.

Angelica Telles got drunk of jealousy of seeing her cousin getting married. She undressed during the reception and started dancing naked. She thanks Saint Mariana for her family didn’t disown her and forgave her.

With this humble retablo, I thank Saint Jude Thaddeus because in Hollywood they created this movie “Coco” in which they show the beautiful and colorful Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead. And it’s absolutely fair that it won the Oscar for the best animated picture.

Luis Perez thanks Saint Nicholas of Bari with this retablo because he was put in charge of feeding the lions at the zoo since he adores these animals.

Alberto Gonzalez fervently thanks the Merciful Lord with this retablo for he found his astray daughter who went prostituting herself. They reconciled and she came back on the right track.

I infinitely thank you, Virgin of Guadalupe, for the miracle of saving me from dying when my bear went crazy during the act. I entrusted myself to you and got off safely.

Francisco “the Fearless”, Atayde circus, 1990

I became a widow in a young age. I had no children and didn’t want to marry again. I got me a good company of my cats instead. On Sundays I put on a nice dress, my best shoes and a ribbon in my hair, then I take my three cats for a walk. They are my family. The old gossips of the town call me a crazy cat lady and talk behind my back. But I don’t care because my pets and I enjoy our walk and we are happy.

I thank the Holy Spirit for guiding me in my peyote trip in the desert and showing me fantastic images and hallucinations, and for having me back in conscience without any harm but with more spiritual knowledge.

I, Pedro Fuentes, and all my crew thank the Virgin Protectress for we managed to disembark safely 30 tons of cocaine coming from Cali at the beach of Mazatlan.

March 4, 1988