I was at the slaughter in Ciudad Juarez on April 2 and survived because I hid myself under the corpse of the Immaculate Conception who took all the bullets shot at me. I thank you, the Pure, for protecting me from certain death.

April 10, 1996

I was so devastated by my relationship with my family and friends, I moved to Guadalajara. Since I didn’t study, I couldn’t find a job. So I went to prostitute myself, and I like this job.

Tonala, Jalisco
Jose Pichardo, 1987

One night my cat Kika ran away and stayed away for three days and three nights. I thank God, Virgin of the Immaculate Conception and Saint Francis of Assisi for helping me and bringing Kika back home.

Mariza Aparecida de Medeiros
Recife, Pernambucano, 13/03/20

Luisa Escalante, being alone without a job and with two children at home, had an idea to make business with her own body. Because she was selling herself at the best spot of the lively street, she managed to support her sons, so they could make their careers. Luisa thanks the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception for having protected her at this difficult stage of her life and offers her this retablo.

Ciudad Juarez, 1965

Thanks to the Immaculate Virgin, I finally found a very good and very handsome doctor who prescribed me a very good American medicine without alcohol. It cured this ugly ingrown hair under my right armpit that had turned into a cyst. I’m very happy it’s gone without leaving any mark on my skin.

May you be blessed, Virgin of the Conception, for saving me from dying in that terrible crash when I was returning from Puebla.

Timoteo Carmona
10th May 1952
Mexico — bless my way

Jovita Fernandez, 34, was dumped by her husband. She was left alone, without job and with 5 kids. She opened a bar, and she was doing so well that she bought a house and payed for all her kids’ education. She thanks the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception and offers this retablo.

Tonala, Chiapas, 1970

I thank the Virgin of Immaculate Conception because thanks to her I could practice a Wurlitzer piano at our parish and a piece I composed was chosen among 250 girls for the musical background of the radio commercial of a famous detergent.

I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception hoping she will help me to do well at my new job oaf announcer on television. Sometimes I get nervous, begin to stutter and sweat a lot. I hope my bosses at the Canal 4 would be pleased with me.

I thank the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception because my husband has returned to me. Two years ago, he left me pregnant and went to another woman. I thank you, Virgin, for bringing him back to me. I dedicate this humble retablo to you.

Domitila

The humble secretary Berenice Saenz needed money. So she decided to earn it with her body. She found her clients right at her workplace. So she managed to pay for her two sons’ studies—they even graduated and became professionals. She bought a house and opened a pharmacy. With this retablo, Berenice thanks the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception for protecting her all that time.

Veracruz, 1970

I thank the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception for two things. First, for helping me to find a wonderful job. I became a maid in the house of a very rich lady. She pays me well. Second, when she is out I can try on all her shoes, blouses and skirts.

Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, I thank you for saving my life when a maniac took me in a hotel. I didn’t know his real intentions. When I refused to do what he wanted, he beat me up. He left me thinking I was dead. I managed to escape to heal my injuries. Protect me in this life of prostitute.

Mexico City, 1970