When this terrible tragedy happened in New York on September 11, 2001, my husband was going to work at the Twin Towers. When I saw the news on TV, I thought I wouldn’t see him ever again. But the Virgin of Guadalupe worked a miracle and few days later I received a word that he was alright.

Leonora Reves M.
Mexico City, October 2001

I’m infinitely grateful to the Holy Child of Atocha for delivering us from dying drowning in Rio Bravo when we—my son and I—tried to cross it. The current was dangerously dragging us down, and I prayed to the Child and right away saw a branch. I grabbed it and managed to get us out of the river. We arrived well to our destination, finding a job in the United States. I ordered to make this retablo for receiving the favor.

Evaristo and son
Jerez, Zacatecas
December 8, 1980

Thank you, Virgin of Guadalupe, because I met Pancho, a boatman, in Acapulco. I’m going to take him to New York with me.

Lynda Smith

I’m infinitely grateful to Our Mother Maria of Guadalupe with this exvoto because, in spite of COVID-19 pandemic, we are going to do the annual pilgrimage with the torch run which traverses the whole country till it comes to New York, USA, on December 12.

Mexico, 2020

My mother of Guadalupe, I give you thanks for saving me from dying in Arizona desert after the guide had left me to the mercy of fate. I implored to you, and you gave me the strength to get to the US and to fulfill my American dream.

January 25, 1985

Saint Joseph of Cupertino, I’m very thankful for the opportunity to study in the great Notre Dame University, and I thank for your help with my exams.

Nat Landau, South Bend, Indiana, 2020

Notes:
Boy’s parents — Christopher and Caroline Landau.

I dedicate this exvoto to Saint Jude Thaddeus for the fabulous work and life of Diego Rivera, artist. His murals about Detroit Industry have been an inspiration for millions of aspiring artist, and they have been a pride of Detroit for almost 100 years.

Luis Romo, Mexico

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for brining me my husband safely back from the United States where he worked as a waiter in a restaurant in the twin towers in New York. When I saw this on tv, I implored for her blessed protection, to look after my husband, and she heard my prayers.

Delfina Arroyo from here, Mexico City
September 30, 2001

James Eddy gives infinite thanks to J & J, Pfizer, Moderna, Big Pharma, Dr Anthony Fauci, Joe Biden, healthcare workers and all the other miracle makers who made shit happen. My ticket out of hell — issued April 8, covid-21. San Francisco, California.

In the year of 2019, in the city of San Francisco, James Eddy petitioned San Jesus Malverde, the patron saint of drug dealers for assistance. James gives infinite thanks that his supplier, a businessman who shall remain anonymous, respected his wishes to get sober and made no effort to peddle his product when James told him he was finished. James painted this retablo to commemorate the miracle of San Jesus Malverde’s intercession and James’ sobriety which commenced on December 31, 2019. Executed this first day of March 2021 in the City of San Francisco.

James Eddy gives infinite thanks to Santa Cecilia, the patroness saint of music and musicians, for giving us Johnny Cash, Mac Miller, The Clash, Chilly Gonzales, Frank Zappa, Nina Simone, The Velvet Underground, Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks, Mose Allison, Radiohead, Hank Williams, Elliot Smith, Cotton Jones, Benjamin Biolay, Sebastian Tellier, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Los Lobos, Joan Armatrading, Taj Mahal, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mac DeMarco, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Angus & Julia Stone, Jerry Garcia, The Beatles, Luciano Paverotti, Mick Jagger, Elvis Presley and Elvis Costello, Patsy Cline, Jimmy Hendrix, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, Dylan, Clapton, Morphine (the band), Lyle Lovett, Dave Brubeck, William Fitzsimmons, Kurt Cobain, Kurt Vile, Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel, Meshell Ndegeocello, Sufjan Stevens, Ry Cooder, Vieux Farka Toure, Coldplay, Willie Nelson, Dr Dre, The Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty, Doc Watson, Nick Drake, Patricia Barber, Arcade Fire, Tim Hardin, Ella Fitzgerald, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, 70′s Disco, The Waltz and the Dosey Doe, Louise Eddy on ukulele and Casey Kasem’s Top 40 countdown.

San Francisco, California. February 19, Covid-21

In the year of 1982, in the City of San Antonio, Jamie Eddy and his friend George Karutz, were home alone with Jamie’s younger brother, Prescott. The boys read that “Super Glue creates an incredibly strong adhesive bond that is nearly unbreakable”. Loctite cyanoacrylate broke the Guinness World Record by lifting a car weighing more than 5 tons with just 9 drops of adhesive. Jamie and George, eager to test the adhesive strength, glued young Prescott to the toilet, where he was discovered by Mr and Mrs Eddy upon returning home later that afternoon. In an effort to quell Prescott’s tears, Mrs Eddy served him ice cream while Mr Eddy raced to the hardware store to procure the necessary solvents to unseat him. Jamie, fearing the worst, petitioned San Felipe Neri, the patron saint of ludicrous pranks and Saint Bartholomew, the patron saint of dermatology, for assistance. He knew his prayer had been heard when the bond was broken and Prescott was emancipated. James Eddy painted this retablo to commemorate the miracle which occurred 39 years ago. Executed this ninth day of February 2021 in the City of San Francisco.

Arturo Lopez and his family give infinite thanks to the Lord of Chalma for giving them the strength to cross the Arizona desert, come to the U.S. and fulfill their American dream and earn some bucks to support their family.

January 25, 1985, U.S.