I love going to the wrestling. The other night, I was coming back after the performance and I had to pass through a deserted alley. Suddenly a guy scared me and took my bag. I thank the Virgin of San Juan because my idol, the wrestler Aztec Warrior was passing by. He heard my scream and ran to help me. He caught the robber, so now I admire him even more.

Lolita Gallardo, Mexico City

Raquel Robledo thanks Saint Thomas Aquinas because she was chosen for the central poster in a gentlemen’s magazine and they made beautiful photos with her.

Acasio Lopez fervently thanks Saint Isidor the Laborer with this retablo for being blessed with these noble lands that give him good agaves from which he makes the best pulque in the region and even sells it in other states.

Tlacolula, Oaxaca

Virgin of Juquila, thank you for your favors. I was going from Oaxaca in direction to Puebla. Suddenly a trailer braked in front of me, and I couldn’t stop in time and hit it. I hurt my legs and my forehead, but miraculously, I survived. They observed me in the hospital and let me go three days later. I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of Juquila.

Demetrio Garcia
Oaxaca, Mexico, 1960

My friend Camilo and I were coming back after having few drinks in the town. We had bad luck to cross our path with a horrible creature come from the hell. We weren’t sure if it was a demon, a witch or a ghost, but it looked very threatening. We thank the Virgin of Zapopan who covered us with her mantle so the creature passed by without noticing us. After that we set off at full gallop to home.

Alberto Ponce thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for going well through the surgery of removing a tumor which turned out to be benign.

I was thinking about my boyfriend and lost the sense of time while dying the client’s hair. When I saw what I’m doing, the lady’s hair were already green. I was scared she would yell at me, so I prayed the Lord of Chalma. He heard me, and the lady believed me when I told her that it was a last fashion trend. She was so happy, she even tipped me.

Cecilia Hernandez
Campeche

M. and J. were having sex at the river, and his mother caught them. They thank Saint Charbel with this retablo for nobody else saw them.

Thanks to the Holy Child of Atocha for saving me from dying from thirst in the desert and for guiding me through it.

Chihuahua — January 12, 1939

I bring this retablo as testimony of gratitude to Saint Anthony of Padua who made so that Lolita became my fiancée. I was afraid she’d reject me since I wasn’t of equal position with her. But I loved her so much. Now we’re happy together, and her family has accepted our relationship.

Maximino Cruz
Guanajuato

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for I can fly in my invention.

With all my heart, I’m thanking Saint Anthony of Padua for delivering my son Valentin from a love pain caused by an evil woman who cheated on him. That’s why he was spending all his time drinking. I was heart-broken. But thanks to the divine intervention, my boy is back to work now. He’s calm and peaceful now, and I bring this retablo for that.

Eduviges Salazar
Guanajuato, Mexico

I thank the Holy Child of the Luck for giving my son another opportunity to live on after he was declared terminally ill. He had a very bad disease, and I prayed with all my heart for his healing. I promised a retablo, and I fulfill my promise now because you granted the wish of a mother who will be forever thankful.

Tacubaya, Mexico City, 1958