In my dream Saint Anthony of Padua was wearing Buddy Holly style eyeglasses.

I ordered this retablo to Saint Jude Thaddeus as I had promised. It was my first time and I’ll never forget it. I was 17 and I knew how to use condom for protection from infection. I had a lot of fun with a prostitute. When I saw how voluptuous she was, I was aching to go in hotel with her. It happened in Sulivan, Mexico, on Friday, August 16, 2002.

I thank the Virgin of Zapopan. When I was about to drop out of medical school because I couldn’t take it anymore, the Virgin enlightened me to not do it. I managed to finish my studies and now I feel highly recompensed for all those years. When I help my patients, especially to the children, I feel really happy. I’m glad to be a good doctor, loved by the people.

Joaquin Armenta thanks the Holy Child of Atocha with this retablo for he bought two beautiful swans. Now they enjoy living in his pond.

My kitchen was filled with so gigantic rats that even my cat was afraid of them. I thank the Virgin of San Juan for we managed to get rid of them before they bit us or eat our stock of food.

Rosa Maria and Teresita Robledo thank Saint Cecily because they have had a big success with their flamenco concerts and they have become famous in many states.

For stupidity, I asked for a lifeguard job without knowing how to swim. I thought it wouldn’t be very difficult and I could meet nice girls on the beach. But one day I almost drowned trying to save a lady who, I thought, was drowning. But she was only doing some exercises. I thank Saint Charbel because the lady knew how to swim and she saved me. So I’d better sell coconuts on the beach.

Abundio Prieto
Acapulco, 1994

My small tavern is always full because I am, in all modesty, a terrific cook. But when I close my place at night, here come my favorite clients—stray dogs.I feed them with the leftovers. I thank Saint Francis because during the day I earn money and get praised for my dishes and during the night I receive gratitude and caress.

Benjamin Rodriguez thanks Saint Bruno with this retablo because at 70 he finally fulfilled his dream and got a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

My daughter Lupita went to pick up some flowers, and she was attacked by bees. Poor child was stung and swelled up. Thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe, her fever and the swells has gone.

Our town was always a quiet and peaceful place. But suddenly a true devil nest with tempting she-devils was opened. The she-devils lured our husbands in their damned den and got all their money from them. We discussed this with the priest, and one morning, when the place was closed, sprinkled it with holy water. Then we put crosses on the door, and the priest performed an exorcism. Those doors to hell never opened again, and we got our husbands back. We thank for that.

Saint Charbel, thank you for protecting us. Three years after my husband had gone to work in USA, we went to visit him. There we celebrated a New Year with our son. Two days later he went to visit his friend and never came back. I had some money but they didn’t last long. We got broke very quickly. We have no money to pay for a room but one lady gave us a room in a semi-destroyed house. Later I found out that my husband lives with an American woman.

Fernanda Mendoza
Tijuana, 1960

My daughter Raquel loved when I was reading stories to her. She loved it so much, she learned to read by herself very soon. She was reading faster than my other children. When I got sick, she read to me, and it was wonderful. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for such a clever and caring daughter.