My husband changed for the worse. He began to visit bars and ladies of easy virtue. I was afraid to lose him, so I prayed to the Virgin so that he wouldn’t go a bad path. Finally I had an idea. I said to him that if he’d continue to behave naughty, I would not cook for him anymore. And I cook really good. He thought it over and broke off his bad habits. I thank the Virgin of San Juan.

Zapopan, Mexico, 1980

I was so devastated by my relationship with my family and friends, I moved to Guadalajara. Since I didn’t study, I couldn’t find a job. So I went to prostitute myself, and I like this job.

Tonala, Jalisco
Jose Pichardo, 1987

Señora Delfina infinitely thanks the Virgin of San Juan for granting her son Jesus healing from a severe pneumonia he caught while searching his little cow that got scared of lightnings during a thunderstorm, ran out of the corral and hid in a cave.

Lagos de Moreno, Mexico
August 27, 1993

The other night my friend and I went to the bar to drink some tequilas. But we lost control, and after a while got so drunk and sentimental talking about our fails in love that when we realized what was going on we were pretty close to each another and ready to kiss. We thank the Lord of Chalma for we have our conscience back and didn’t do it. We remain being friends as usual.

Juan N. and Silvestre R. ~ Tonala, Jalisco

I, Gallo Tapado (Dark Rooster), give my faith and devotion to Saint Jude Thaddeus, the saint whom I dedicate my career at the ring and who has looked after me and my adversaries. For this I offer my humble homage and this retablo to express my gratitude.

Gallo Tapado
Guadalajara, 1983

Our mariachi band singer got sick, and we didn’t know what to do. So our violinist Lupita offered herself to substitute her and she told us that she sings beautifully. We were surprised because it wasn’t true and, instead of singing, she screamed like a dog run over by a car. With all our hearts, we thank Saint Cecily for our main singer recovered her health because those days with Lupita were a real torture and we were frightened to be kicked out of the restaurant we played in.

Mariachi “Sun of Tlaquepaque”, Jalisco

I dedicate this humble retablo to Saint Clare for having won the lottery. I bought a ticket and was lucky to win a jackpot. When I was poor no woman wanted even to talk with me cause I was ugly. But now when I’m a millionaire, the most beautiful women going after me. I can go out with everyone I want, and they see me as a handsome guy.

Anacleto Perez ~ Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Don Luciano Jimenez dedicate this humble retablo to the Virgin of Zapopan, as a token of gratitude, because he had good harvest of agaves this year. There was bad weather in the region the last season and he lost big part of his crop. It worried him very much because he and all his family depends on the agaves.

Tequila, Jalisco. Mexico

I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan for the success I had this season with Tania the elephant and her marvelous act that won the audience.

Celeste Atayde
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Season 1980, “Atayde” circus

For the company, bravery and love of my female-comrades.
Justice for the youth

I give thanks to the Saint Patroness of the Feminist Struggle for organizing me and for giving me strength when we were picked up by the fiscal police for going to a manifestation and demanding justice, for all the work of the feminist network in searching of disappeared people and for inspiring me.

Jalisco

My girlfriend’s father was a very strict and jealous farmer. She told me that he was scaring all her suitors and was telling that no one deserves his daughter. I thank the Virgin of San Juan because we got along well and he accepted me because he realized that I really love his daughter, and he sees me like a son.

Saul Fuentes ~ Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

Today, May 20, 2005, I give my faith, devotion and my eternal gratitude to the Holy Virgin Mother of Mexico for many years at the ring. I offer her this small retablo, in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

Mil Mascaras — Land of courageous

My daughter Dolores was already 40 years old. She was the oldest of my 16 children sent me by God and my only daughter. I was very much worried that the poor thing would lose her train and stay an old maid. I put Saint Anthony of Padua head down and prayed him day and night. My daughter met a gringo named mister Maicol and they got married. Besides, she used the dress I wore at my wedding.

Maria del Socorro Lopez
Tepatitlán, Jalisco
April 15, 1963