My bedroom was filled with rats. They used to come out at night so I was scared to go to the bathroom to not let these animals enter my bed. Since my cats are vey lazy, they didn’t hunt the rats. Thanks to my prayers to the Holy Virgin of San Juan, I got an idea to borrow my neighbor’s cat. He wiped up all rats in one night. My cats were ashamed, so now they patrol the house from time to time. And I do not have rats anymore.

Martina Ojeda thanks Saint Joseph for the miracle that her husband Eulalio came back home to celebrate the Christmas with her and their children. He worked whole year and they didn’t see him all that time and missed him so much.

Torreon, Coahuila

Amatlan, Veracruz
Mexico, 2004

God, bless these women “the Mistresses” and help them so they could keep helping to all those immigrant who are coming to our country in search of the American dream. They survive so many dangers moved by this dream to find their destiny. Protect them—this humble artist is asking you from the bottom of his heart.

I became a widower shortly after my wedding. I didn’t want to marry again after that. I forget about my loneliness in the company of my cocks. When they see me in sad mood, they come to me and peck my legs showing me that I’m not alone. I thank the Virgin for that.

I thank Saint Sebastian for the fortune of finding the happiness and the joy of loving and being loved, for making this big dream come true. I feel I’m loved back.

Sonia
Colonia Roma, Mexico City

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for I found a job which pays less money but I really like it.

Lalo Acevedo

I dedicate this retablo to Saint Fulgentius for helping me to save enough money to buy a used car of the prestigious American brand Oldsmobile Toronado. It has a fantastic V-8 engine with 455 cu. The distinction is quite clear—it separates the men from the boys. Driving this car is insuperable, thanks to magnificent Front Wheel Drive and to the Torsion Bar suspension. I hope now I could save more money to buy the transmission, the fuel pump and the alternator which are broken.

The young man Rodolfo Suarez bet money in the poker but had nothing to pay off. He was badly beaten for that. He thanks Saint Jude with this retablo because he finally paid the debt and was left in peace. He promises to amend his ways.

A heavy beam fell on the Isabel Jimenez’ leg during an earthquake. She thanks the Virgin of the Solitude with this retablo for she was saved in time and was able to walk again.

Margarito Navarro thanks Saint Jude Thaddeus with this retablo for protecting him during the performance of this antique ritual of the flying-men. He inherited this tradition from his father and grandfather and now keeps it alive.

Cuetzalan, Puebla

Please, make so my husband won’t eat in bed.

Holy Child of Atocha, thank you for your help. I went to the sea to test my surf-board. I was catching the waves when suddenly I got cramp. My surf taken by the waves floated away from me. I tried to reach the rocks, but the waves smashed me into them. However, thanks to my Holy Child everything ended up well. I was saved by two boatmen.

Ramiro Castro
Puerto Escondido, 1969

I thank Saint Martin the Cavalryman for helping me out with my job. Thanks to my job as a dressmaker I could support my daughter who is about to finish her secretary studies. I dedicate this humble retablo for that.

Gregoria Cuautle
Puebla de los Angeles