Thank you, Virgin of Carmel, my old man didn’t find out that I put horns on him with our neighbor each time he goes on a business trip.

Oaxaca, Mexico, 1969

Evarista Rosales dedicates this humble retablo to the Virgin of Juquila for having sent her a “muxe” son. She had no daughters and now she won’t be ever alone because her son would always accompany her, and he is the pride of the family.

Juchitan, Oaxaca, Mexico

Notes:
Muxe is a man who dresses and behaves as women. This tradition originated in pre-Columbian cultures. While muxes may be seen as a third gender, they aren’t considered to be transsexuals.

Señor Dionicio gives thanks to the Virgin of Juquila for saving him from dying after a dangerous fall from his horse on his way back home when the horse was scared of a viper and threw him off. Now he thanks because he’s alright.

March 15, 1987, Oaxaca, Mexico

Thank you, Virgin of Help, for the luck of marrying the landowner and widower and showing them that I marry him for love.

Juliana, 1974
Oaxaca, Mexico

When we were coming back from our honeymoon at the beaches of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca… and we could lost our lives by negligence. My wife implored the Virgin of Juquila for protection, and now we thank for her miracle.

Lupe and Pedro from Mexico City, 10–May–2010

Thank you, Virgin of Guadalupe, for I realized who are women in reality, where do they come from and why do they have power to seduce.

Silvano
Oaxaca, Mexico, 1960

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for the pregnancy test turned out negative because I was very much worried who would be the father.

Ines, Oaxaca, Mexico, 1976

Thanks Virgin for giving me courage not to marry that man whom I didn’t love. And my aunts old maids wanted to force to be unhappy.

Mariana, 1976, Oaxaca, Mexico

My husband and I were going through a marriage crisis. We even went through family therapy but it didn’t work. I didn’t want to divorce him but I didn’t know what to do. I’m infinitely grateful to Saint Anthony of Padua because I got an idea to invite my husband to the Zipolite nudist beach for a week-end. It revived the flame of our love, and now we love each other as much as when we were newlyweds.

Diana R., Oaxaca

Thanks to you I could escape from my old lady who wanted to beat me. I just said that her food lacked salt, and she went mad. Thanks, Virgin of Guadalupe.

Victor, Oaxaca, Mexico, 1969

I thank you, Virgin of the Solitude, for saving my life when the old man my neighbor caught me in his house and started shooting at me. Thanks to you I could escape with nary a scratch, just frightened.

Jasinto Lopez, Oaxaca, Mexico, 1968

After looking for many years, I finally met the woman of my dreams. Thanks to you, Virgin of Carmel, I married her. Thanks.

Manuel Cardenas
Oaxaca, Mexico, 1968

Señorita Rosalia Gutierrez had an accident in which she broke her ankle. She couldn’t walk for months. She dedicates this retablo to the Virgin of Juquila wholeheartedly thanking her for she was able to recover in time to participate in the Pineapple Flower dance at the Guelaguetza celebration. May you be blessed.

Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico