My little sons were swimming in the river when suddenly came a giant toothy crocodile. I thank the Virgin because only by her infinite mercy the animal did nothing to them and I managed to get them out the river.

When I became a widow, I decided to get retired. I devoted myself to embroider and to care about my dogs. But one day the devil appeared and whispered in my ear some sinful ideas. Then I started to look with lust at the pharmacist Manuel and even on our priest. When I realized my distress, I prayed to the Virgin of Zapopan. Thanks to her inspiration I accepted the doctor Vazquez’ marriage proposal. Now I think only about him. And I thank the Holy Virgin for saving me from the devil.

A wolf was killing the sheep of the farmer Tomas Gomez. The farmer thanks Saint Anthony the Abbot for he was able to caught the wolf alive. Afterwards the animal was sent to an ecological reserve.

I thank the Holy Child of Atocha because I found my son Antonio who had been kidnapped. He was kept chained in a hovel and he was badly beaten. After searching for him for so long, without losing my faith in you, we entrusted ourselves to you and now I dedicate this retablo.

The mariachi band “Son of Tlaquepaque” thanks Saint Cecily with this retablo for made our singer Lupita, who sings so badly, understand that because of her howling we were losing clients and she’d better play the trumpet. So now the things are going better, and we’re happy.

Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

Bruno Rodriguez had an accident while weight-lifting. He thanks Saint Pancras for he was saved from asphyxiation when the heavy barbell crushed his throat.

My aunt Honorata made me her only heir, but with one condition, that I take care of her cats. I never liked the cats, so I took it upon myself unwillingly. However, now I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe, because I realized what clean and cute animals the cats are. So now I not only have more money but also a nice cat company.

The kitchen was filled with bats. I was afraid that they were vampires and they would suck our blood. I prayed to the Virgin of San Juan for protection. Thanks to her these animals finally left our house. Although I think they bit our dog, thanks to the Holy Virgin it didn’t get rabies, nor did become a vampire-dog.

The watchman Gerardo Mendes was thrown in jail, because he was spying on the women of the building. He thanks the Holy Child of Atocha, for he managed to handle this problem, although he lost his job.

I thank the Virgin of San Juan for sending me a man who took me out of prostitution and proposed me. Now I’m very happy with him. May you be blessed.

Sofia Izquierdo Ruiz
Guadalajara, 1955

In December, the boy Cleto was going to hit piñata but accidentally hit his brother in the face. He started bleeding, and bleeding didn’t stop. His parents prayed to Saint James. Now, since the boy got cured, they thank for that.

Miriam goes out to play with forest animals at nights. Thank Virgin, she comes back safe.

Gustavo Ortega was roller-skating. He fell and broke his arm. Since no remedy helped him, he prayed to Saint Jude Thaddeus. With his help the arm got healed, and Gustavo thanks for that with this retablo.