Francisco Gutierrez got drunk and slept on the wheel of the machine. He thanks the Virgin of Juquila because he managed to wake up before he fell into the ravine.

June 28, 1972, Paquito Gonzalez dropped the pan with boiling apple confiture. He got terrible burns, and his mommy, doña Luz Castrejon de Gonzalez, entrusted him to Saint Paschal Baylon in order to cure the boy with his divine intervention. She thanks the Saint for the miracle because her son was lucky and got better marvelously quickly.

Thank you, Lord of Lightnings, for saving me when I fell and hurt my head. I, Tiburcio Morales, thank you.

Puebla — January 8, 1939

Rodrigo had promised me that he would come back to marry me, and I waited for him and even prepared my wedding dress. But he didn’t return. Nevertheless I kept waiting. People laughed at me for waiting so long, but I waited and waited until one day Rodrigo came back. Although we weren’t the same as before we still loved each other. I thank the Virgin because finally I’m happy after wanting so long.

I’m thanking my dear Saint Martin de Porres because since I had my own band I can confuse and mock my musicians when without letting them know I change the rhythm of the melody making them look like inexperienced beginners in front of the audience.

The Lopez sisters watched a horror movie in the cinema. And after, on their way home, they met a nagual in an alley. They thank the Virgin of Zapopan because with her protection they managed to run away from the spell of this horrifying monster.

The man whom I fell in love with deceived me and made me sell my body on the street. I give thanks to the Holy Child because my parents forgave me and now I’m going back to Zacatecas which I would have never left.

Escandón, 1984

The boys, Juan and Francisco Robledo, are thanking from the bottom of the heart Saint John Bosco with this retablo because their parents made their dream to go to Disneyland come true. And they even met Micky Mouse.

Thanks for Romeo got out of the habit of drinking pig milk that was for piglets.

I am vey happy because I will not have to use my bus to go on tour with The Grateful Dead so I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin Mary.

I, Raulito Contreras Avila, dedicate this retablo to you, Virgin of Guadalupe, for chasing away flying animals with very angry eyes from my room. I’m living alone and I’m very weak. They really scared me because I am gay since I was little. But you helped me.

Tijuana — November 11, 1980

The ringmaster of “Circo Godinez” thanks Saint Rita of Cascia because his kids, Jacinta and Benjamin, had a successful debut with acrobatic stunts on the horses. They received a round of applause and felt very proud and happy for such a great achievement.

Thank you, Saint Jude, for the incredible vacations in Zipolite that hot summer in 1986 when I met Vero[nica].

Conchita Monjaraz