I thank God because my son Juanito has recovered from the fright he had when a nagual appeared to him in form of an enormous black dog near the coal tower for being rude to his father who sent him that night to put more woods to the coal tower. The dog dragged him till the river. When he came back, all wallowed and in tears, he asked us for forgiveness, telling everything that happened, and then fell into the bed. I entrust his recovery to Our Lord, and he granted my wish.

Sorrowful mother
Villa del Carbon, State of Mexico
June 12, 1988

I thank God in the sky because one day, when my father was speaking on his cel and didn’t see me doing cartwheels in the supermarket cart, I fell down and broke my forehead, and he brought me to the hospital, and they stitched up my forehead, and my brains didn’t blow out.

Gymnast, 4 years

Lord be our guide and our protector on the journey we are about to take. Watch over is. Protect us from accidents. Keep us free from harm to body and soul. Lord, support us with Your grace when we are tired. Help us be patient in any troubles which may come our way. Keep us always mindful of your presence and love.

James Eddy gives infinite thanks to God for clearing his cookies after he unknowingly ingested seven 15 mg ganja infused ginger snaps. True story—no bullshit.

San Francisco, California. December 2020

I thank the Virgin of Talpa for giving me the opportunity of studying her retablos and for it was possible, thanks to the generous support of many people, to publish this book about her. I ask God for his intercession and to always look after the priests of Talpa, holy fathers Estrada Sting, Enrique Flores and Salazar Gonzalez, as well as Martha Becerra, don Francisco Arias and mr. Ernesto Valdez.

Prof. Elin Luque Agraz, Mexico City, May 10, 2015

In March 2016 James Eddy’s financial woes were mounting. He thought if he could work harder he could improve sales so he began to self medicate. After several sleepless months James convinced himself and then tried to convince his wife that he was under surveillance and a target of massive government investigation. Next year James was hospitalized and held in the psychiatric unit for evaluation. The nurse ordered James to fill a Dixie cup for tests and his discharge was contingent upon compliance but James was ashamed and terrified of his wife’s reaction if she learned the truth so he refused. A Mexican standoff ensued and on the eighth day the doctor blinked and nurse Ratchet cut James loose. It wasn’t long before his behavior became even more outrageous. Two officers came to his house to serve a stay away order with fifteen minutes to pack his bags and leave. The next several months he slept in his car and daily hotels when he could afford it. As time dragged on, and his situation grew more dire, he realized how badly he fucked up. He was wrong about many things. His good looks, charm and vivacious personality had not caught the attention of Angelina Jolie and despite his childhood dogs being named ‘William’ and ‘Harry’ he was not a member of the royal family. He missed his ex-wife and children so much he ached in his heart. James decided it was time to pick up the pieces of his life and turn over a new leaf so the new James told the old James to ‘fuck off.’ On December 31, 2019 he called out to God, his family and his friends and asked for their forgiveness. He got sober and in commemoration of this great miracle this retablo was offered.

San Francisco, California, February 27, 2020

James Eddy gives infinite thanks to God for giving him a second chance at life after he went under.

San Francisco, CA
November, 2020

I thank God and Saint Thomas Aquinas for I was removed from my bed to become the main grace of the circus. Because I was rescued like Rapunzel, now I have a job and I could get out of my depression showing that God loves everything that exists.

I decided to put offerings for my late wife on the Day of the Dead and prepared her favorite dishes. On that night I heard someone calling me. When I came to the kitchen I saw that it was my wife telling me off because the food was too salty. I thank God for it was only one time that night when I saw my grumpy wife again because she was unbearable in real life.

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for I arrived right before this lousy priest would rape my boy when I sent him to confess. I ask God to punish this damned priest.

Anastacia Perez Castillo
Mexico City, 1967

I thank God for, in 1984, I asked him to give me the strength and speed of the animals to catch the train in Ciudad Juarez that was leaving me behind because of that lady’s fault who couldn’t give me change, and the God answered me. And I, who was always the slowest in basketball, received an ovation from people when I managed to get into the carriage.

Your slave Gino Robert in Sant Martí d’Empúries, February 2014

Thanks Holy God for being wet-n-slow when you could’ve been quick-n-dry.

I thank God and the Ever-Merciful St. Andrew for allowing me to survive the back nine holes at the Tubac Golf Resort and to shoot a miraculous 4 over par on May 2, 2014. In gratitude and thanks overflowing my heart, I, Sergio Mendes, now dedicate this retablo.

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