My husband had bad times at work, and he started sleepwalk. The worst was that he was going out to sit at the church steps. I was dying of shame only imagining that somebody could see him in his underwear—quite threadbare one, I must say. I had to bring him back to bed, and I couldn’t sleep well. I thank the Virgin for the things at my husband’s work have been settled, so he doesn’t sleepwalk anymore and I can finally sleep in peace.

With all my faith and devotion, I dedicate this humble retablo to the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe for looking after me every time I throw myself to the Gorge. That’s how I make my living. Since I put myself in her holy hands, nothing bad will happen to me.

Dionisio Lopez
Acapulco, Guerrero

To all saints!

The boy Jose Luis Arreola thanks with this retablo for they didn’t eat his turkey although it’s pretty big.

San Juan, July 8, 1938

O my Holy Virgin, what a terrible experience it was in the sea. My daughter Anita and I were swimming, and suddenly a giant octopus appeared to us. He grabbed us with his tentacles. I felt drowning, but fortunately nothing bad happened. We only got scared that he might take us down with him.

Maricela Ramirez
Acapulco, Guerrero
February 5, 1982

One day Roberto went to the mountains and got caught in the rain. He went to a cave for cover but a bear got out of there and chased him all over the mountains.

Graciela Rivera thanks the Lord of the Wonders for she stopped her son in time. He had put the cat in the microwave and wanted to cook it.

Virgin of Guadalupe, thank you for restoring my beloved husband’s health. He was dying because of this infection he got from the bullet. Holy Mother, Virgin of Guadalupe, I offer you this humble retablo thanking for this miracle.

Aurora Ramos
Toluca, Mexico, 1957

I play heavenly. Thanks because the Virgin sends me an angel who guides me.

My son brought home a dirty stray dog. He and his little sister were delighted with this sack of fleas. I didn’t want this dog to stay in the house and tried to kick it out of the house. But the children watched me with fear in their eyes, so I couldn’t do it. My husband and I bathed this dog and bought it an anti-flea collar. The dog turned out to be very affectionate so we don’t regret to foster it. We thank Saint Francis for sending us this dog.

When I lost my job my wife and I had to move to my mother-in-law. It was a true hell because she was very mean—she kept us as her servants and even forced me to massage her feet. I thank Saint Barbara for I finally found a job and we moved out. Now we are happy again.

Narciso Paz
Veracruz, Mexico

The boy Pablo Gonzalez was molesting the piglets of a pig. She got angry and bit his ankle. The parents thank Saint Augustine for the boy has been out of the hospital and got rid of the infection.

1908, Just Romero had met a nagual on arrival to Zacatlan. He entrusted himself to Saint Charbel and now thanks him for the nagual didn’t catch him and only stole his turkey.