I thank Saint Raymond for saving me from my husband’s rage when he caught me with my friend who hid under the bed, so my husband didn’t noticed him because he’s near-sighted.

Tlaxcala, 1927

The brothers Cosme and Crispin Trejo went to the cemetery to celebrate the November 2 and met a mister who sat on a tomb. He was going to give them a chest full of gold so they would continue with their vice. But suddenly they noticed that it was a skeleton who talked with them. They implored the Virgin of the Solitude for protection, and nothing happened with them. They promised to not drink anymore and to not disturb the dead.

Tlaxcala, 1948

The superhero Squirrel Woman was fighting with two criminals when suddenly the third one hit her in the back. She lost her conscience. When she came back to her senses she asked for superior help, and thank to the Sorrowful Virgin of Memories she could get up and catch the scoundrels.

Apizaco, Tlaxcala, 1974

Just before the bull hit Juaquina Meneses from behind, her buddy Cleto Ruis implored the Holy Child of Atocha’s protection. Miraculously, the bull did nothing to her. She thanks for that with the retablo.

Tlaxcala, 1920

I had many disappointments in love. I felt sad and lonely, so I entrusted myself to Saint Anthony of Padua. And one day a young man arrived to the village. I found the love that I had been expecting desperately. I’m very happy now, and I thank for that with this humble retablo.

Remedios Aguilar — Tlaxcala

The construction of the foreman Margarito Corona dedicates this retablo to the Virgin of Guadalupe because she helped them to arrive to the Day of the Holy Cross without any mishap and to celebrate it with hard work.

Tlaxcala

My Pepito was a very naughty boy. He didn’t like to study at all. His teacher couldn’t stand him and was about to expel him from the elementary school. I thank the Virgin of San Juan because my boy changed a lot. Now he’s studying. Al least he scored 6 points in the exam, so he might pass to another grade, after three attempts.

Jacinta Hernandez
Tlaxcala

Petronila Romero offers this retablo to the holy Child of Atocha thanking him because thanks to his help and some punches her husband stopped going in the bar.

Tlaxcala, 1920

Agustina Perez brings this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan thanking her because her boyfriend finally proposed her — that she could hardly wait.

Tlaxcala, 1917

Concepcion y Refugio Rosales, known as The Little Sparrows, from the bottom of their hearts, dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of the Solitude for endowing them with the gift of singing. Thanks to their voices the can help their family and they are much loved in the town.

Tlaxcala

I offer this humble retablo to the Archangel Michael for working out the miracle that I was able to help my father with money to open his pottery workshop since it was his childhood dream.

Teodora Morales
Tlaxcala, 1959

Saint Jude Thaddeus, I thank you for hearing my prayers, so now my old woman is cured. She fainted a lot. The doctor said it happened because of lack of food, and probably she had anemia. I couldn’t provide more food for her because I didn’t make enough money selling dishes. Now I’m old and can’t work. But before we lived good, and I had a cattle herd. But my sons forced me to sell it to cover their needs. We had three sons, and no one is taking care of us. All of them went to Los Angeles, California. They’ve lived there for 12 years. Sometimes they send us three postcards and some dollars. But the most important thing now is that my old woman Francisca is cured.

Braulio Bernal
Tlaxcala, 1950

Virgin of Ocotlan, I dedicate this retablo to you in order to tell everybody about your favor. I was hauling a fighting bull down to the Huamantlada. Suddenly it got rebel and hit me with his corn. I was scared that I might have gangrene in my leg. I entrusted myself to you and now I thank you for my recovery.

Pancho M.
Tlaxcala, 2005

Huamantlada is a festive running of the bulls held in the town of Huamantla.