Fermin Roque and Carmen Lopez offer this retablo to the Virgin of Guadalupe because this year they sold more nopal cactuses than the last year. They thanks for that.

Milpalta, 1947

I liked to paint but I was afraid of not having enough talent to become a professional. But one night Frida Kahlo appeared in my dream and encouraged me to paint. I give infinite thanks to Saint Thomas Aquinas for that dream. It was the inspiration I needed to do what I loved the most—painting.

Amelia Lara ~ Mexico City

Señor Alberto thanks the Virgin of Sorrows for not losing his arm when he cut himself while butchering meat in his shop. He brings this retablo as his gratitude for this favor.

January 25, 1999
Tacubaya, Mexico City

Señora Yolanda thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for saving her husband David form dying during a dangerous heart surgery. He was hovering between life and death. For your favor I offer you this retablo.

January 25, 1999
Tacubaya, Mexico City

Virgin of San Juan, I thank you for giving me the courage to come through the surgery. Now I look exactly as I feel myself inside—a complete woman.

Fernando “La Paloma”
Tacubaya, Mexico City, March 14, 2000

May you be blessed, Saint Sebastian, because Marta came to live with me. We are happy together because we love each other very much and aren’t afraid to be who we are.

Marta and Luisa, Tacubaya, 1987

Holy Mother Virgin of Guadalupe, may you be blessed for curing my rheumatism so I can go back to work with my flowers here in Xochimilco. When no remedy would help me I prayed to you, and you cured me.

Merejildo, local of this town
December 12, 1990

Edgar Ponce thanks the Holy Child of Atocha for surviving after felling down from the roof when he was fixing the tv-antenna. He got tangled in the cable, stumbled and fell down. He though he was going to die, he implored to you and knew you would save him. Edgar dedicates you this retablo.

Observatorio Mexico
17/02/2001

I dedicate this retablo to my mother thanking her for giving me life and blessing me. My life has been always filled with Faith, Hope and Love. And there, in heaven, where she’s resting now, she won’t leave me alone in my mission because the art is the real miracle. I also dedicate this retablo to my wife for her love and constant support; to my children for their loving friendship and honesty; to the society and people who enjoy my work and let me tell about stories, facts, visions and imaginations from my beloved Mexico.

From Mexico to the world.

Virgin of San Juan, thank you because Los Brazos won over Mil Mascaras and Atlantis in this charity fight for the Guadalajara victims. I ask you to look after and save my idol Super Brazo because he’s the best wrestler.

Isidoro — Mexico City, May 19, Arena Coliceo

A drunk driver in his clunker hit Catarino Suarez, a traffic policeman. Catarina was in bad condition. He thanks the Lord of the Wonders for his recovery.

Mexico, 1949

Thank you, The Holy Child of Atocha, because this cuckold my old man Isabelo Recendiz didn’t notice Sancho under the bed. He wanted to kill him but, because he is cross-eyed, he didn’t see him. I, Norma Nava R., give thanks for it with this ex-voto.

Mexico, 27 October 1980

Saint Jude Thaddeus, thank you for delivering me of this damaging situation. My wife left me for another man, I was looking to comfort myself with this vice. I was at the point of dying because she doesn’t love me anymore. Your devoted son.

Barrio Norte, Mexico City, 2009