I give infinite thanks to Saint Sebastian de Aparicio with the present retablo because I could find a good job near my house. Before I had to take the subway few times every day. I suffered a lot with all the touching, groping and pushing and, on top of that, with the smell of the people who wouldn’t bath. Now I’m done with this torment.

Cecilia Godinez, Mexico City

Gregorio Meneses was sleeping why he felt something weird. He switched on the light and saw himself surrounded by enormous spiders. He entered into panic. He thanks Saint Jude Thaddeus for surviving this scare, and now he’s going through therapy.

Dolores Corona was in love with the foreman of the ranch. She asked Saint Paschal for help and managed to made him fell in love with her with her dishes. She dedicates this retablo for that, with all her faith and devotion.

Tecamachalco, Puebla

I went to swim to the sea and immediately got so cramped, I went to the bottom. I had no air to breathe, and then dozens of crabs surrounded me and began to pinch me with their pincers. I thought I was going to die not only of lacking the air but, moreover, pinched by the crabs. But instead the crabs pulled me up to the surface and dragged me to the beach. Now I know it was a miracle made so I wouldn’t drown there.

Señor Antonio thanks the Lord of Calma because he managed to find the cows of his master safe and sound, so he won’t be thrown in jail accused of stealing them. He brings this retablo thanking for the received favor.

October 17, 1980

Julita Velasquez bought a sewing machine, but being unexperienced, she pierced her finger with the needle, and it got infected. She thanks Saint Teresa of Jesus for helping her to heal.

I dedicate the present retablo to Saint Michael the Archangel thanking him, with all my heart, for he always accompanies me at my work as a picador. During all my years in this profession, I didn’t suffer from any grave accident, nor did my horse Sparky. So I feel blessed.

Abelardo Rosas
Apizaco, Tlaxcala

The night of the Day of the Dead, a pair of skeletons asked me to give them a ride under the moonlight. Since I was half-drunk and needed money, I agreed. I thank the Virgin of the Rosary for they didn’t take me to their graves at the dawn.

Jasinta Perez brings the present retablo to Saint Pancras thanking him for sending her a boyfriend who accepts her as she is—fatty. And they have a very good sex.

I was caught in the ocean by a terrible storm that destroyed my boat. I was left to drift alone in the open sea hoping for my luck. Several days passed. I was afraid to die, so I entrusted myself, with all my faith, to the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe so that she would save me. I thank because a fishing boat rescued me when I was about to be eaten by few sharks that followed me. May you be blessed.

Leoncio Torres
Baja California, Mexico

My sons are very naughty boys. One day they got into the Jose Piña’s rancho to steal some fruits. They even brought a ladder. However, they didn’t know that Jose had bought police guard dogs. The dogs chased the boys up the tree and didn’t let them go down. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because Jose Piña saved them and the dogs didn’t bite them.

Three beings came to my house. With a broom and your help, Holy Virgin, they were gone.

Every time my colleagues and I went to sing serenades I used to pass a couple of tequilas to warm up my voice. But lately I was going out of hand with it to the extent of coming drunk and spoiling the serenades. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because my colleagues gave me another opportunity, and I promised them to become an abstinent mariachi again.

Saturnino Fernandez
Zapopan, Jalisco