November 2, Day of the Dead, my buddy’s ghost came to the bar and wanted to pass some shots with me. I got scared and wanted to run away, but he pushed me down and broke my hand. I thank the Holy Child of Atocha for I didn’t kick the bucket.

Susano Camayo, Tlaxcala, 1920

My two daughters got into the storeroom where we kept our watermelon harvest and began to eat them. They were eating and eating them and didn’t feel that they ate too much. They felt so bad afterwards. I was afraid for them and prayed the Holy Child of Atocha to help them. The saint took mercy on my girls, and the next day they were feeling better. I thank for that.

January 27, 1908, I left my three-year-old boy to play alone. When I was back, I saw that the pigs jumped on him and tried to eat him. I entrusted myself to the Holy Child of Atocha and started to throw stones at the pigs. Since I managed to save my son and he was safe and sound, I dedicate this retablo in gratitude.

Plateros, Zacatecas. March 1908
Teofila Martinez

With this humble retablo, I thank the Holy Child of Atocha for protecting me on every November 2. This night my bar is filled with the souls of the dead from the village. They come very happy to celebrate their holiday with a lot of music and mezcal.

Ramiro Dominguez \ Zacatecas, Mexico

At the Christmas party in the neighborhood, I went to put some liquor in my punch. Since I was already tipsy I got into the piñata event and was kicked in the head. I give thanks to the Holy Child of Atocha because I got only the lump. I promise not to drink so much on December holidays.

Celedonio Hernandez \ Zacatecas, Mexico

On her way to Zacatlan to sell flowers, Gregoria Lopez got her rear-end bitten by her donkey. It got inflamed. Since no remedy would help her, she prayed the Child of Atocha, and it got healed. She thanks for that with this retablo. 1917.

The sisters R. and A. Ortega loved to have orgies with the soccer team. But one day they were caught by a coach who told everything to their parents. The sisters thank the Virgin of San Juan with this retablo for they weren’t kicked out of the house but only scolded.

Victor Peralta was painting the neighbor houses with graffiti. The neighbors got pissed off, tied him to a pole and showered him with paint. Victor thanks the Child of Atocha for nothing serious happened and promises to amend.

The gardener Leopoldo Chavez asked the Holy Child of Atocha for a new lawn-mower, and the next day he found a pure gold ring. That’s how his dream came true for which he thanks with the retablo.

I thank the Holy Child of Atocha for curing my son from a horrible pneumonia.

Petra, Zacatecas
April 30, 1948

1978, during the town day in Huejotzingo, an UFO abducted my wife and my mother-in-law. Me—I hid myself and prayed the Holy Child of Atocha whom I thank now because the UFO didn’t notice me.


Seferino

Pascasia Lopez bring this retablo thanking the Holy Child of Atocha for she got to know Frida the painter. I’m also thankful to Frida for helping my son to finish the primary school.

Mexico, 1952

I was going to Monterrey with the money I got for selling my last piece of land when I was attacked by a bandit. In that dangerous moment I prayed the Holy Child of Atocha, and suddenly appeared the Agapito Treviño’s ghost, or the White Horse as they call it. The attacker ran away, and I thank for that.