Virgin of Guadalupe, thank you for not letting a client cut me with a bottle when, on our way to the hotel, he realized that I’m not a woman. I entrusted myself to you in this danger and now I’m all right.

Paco, “The Beauty”
Merced, 1999

Alicia thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe because her husband didn’t find out that she cheated on him with his buddy. She is very sorry and offers this retablo in gratitude for the favor. She swears not to do it again.

January 25, 2000
Tacubaya, Mexico City

When we were going by the old road to San Juan de los Lagos to sell apples we met the phantasm of the headless rider. He often appears to travelers and abducts them. When we saw him, we entrusted ourselves to the Virgin of the Rosary. Thanks to her divine protection, the ghost passed by without noticing us. My husband and I turned gray after that, but we arrived to the town and sold our apples.

One night I stopped to sleep in the mountain after a long walk. In the moonlight, I saw the witches flying to Catemaco. I thank the Blessed Sacrament for they didn’t notice me and didn’t put a spell on me.

The kitchen was filled with bats. I was afraid that they were vampires and they’d suck blood from our family. I thank Saint Francis for we managed to get rid of them before they bit us. However, it seems they bit our cat, but it didn’t turn into a vampire cat. I thank the saint patron with this retablo.

Saint Jude Thaddeus, I thank you and I offer you this retablo because my husband fell asleep and didn’t noticed that I was with the butcher’s son. It was a horrible situation, and I’m sorry for that. I ask you to forgive me, and I’ll never do it again. I promised you if it all would end well, I’d offer you a retablo. And now I do.

Your faithful Carolina
Roma, Mexico City
October 28, 2004

My dog Enrriqueta got lost and I prayed to the Virgin of Zapopan every night so that she would save her from danger and bring her home. One day I was coming back from a mass, and I met my dog in the alley. She got four puppies. I thank the Virgin because now I take care of them and they give me joy.

We had a trouble-making broad in our neighborhood. She attacked anybody for the least thing. We tried even not to look at her to avoid problems. I prayed to the Virgin of Regla so that she’d keep her in hand. Then she moved out from our neighborhood. I thank the Virgin because our life is much calmer now.

Rosa Cavel
December 25

Seferino Valderrama fell asleep with a cigarette. In his dream he saw the Virgin of Zapopan who told him “Wake up, my son! You’re in danger!” He woke up and saw that his blanket was on fire. He ran to the kitchen for water and extinguished the fire. He thanks for this amazing miracle with this retablo.

January 25, 1943

We thank the Virgin of the Solitude for looking after us during our tour around the country and for keeping our fellow artists healthy.

Circus “Arcoiris Show”
Celaya, Guanajuato

My friend Pancho and I were drinking aguardiente (“firewater”) and made a bet who would pass the night at the cemetery. I was so drunk, I felt brave, so I agreed to do so. But at the midnight, the ghost of my late buddy Rogaciano Mendez appeared. I was so scared, I immediately sobered up. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Amador Ramirez
November 2, 1952
San Juan Nuevo, Michoacan

I had a lot of suitors who ordered serenades for me. Roberto Rodriguez was a mariachi who always performed for me. More he sang more he fell in love with me. And so did I with him. We got married. When we came out of the church, we felt so happy, we started to run. The musicians tried to follow us, but they couldn’t play running. It was so funny. We thank the Blessed Sacrament for a happy wedding.

Danisia thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe because her son Martin didn’t poison himself when he swallowed some pills. She brings the retablo.

January 21, 1985
Mexico City