I dedicate this retablo to the Holy Lord of Chalma for the talent of great Mexican engraver artist Jose Guadalupe Posada. This prominent artist is known for his drawings full of social criticism and costumbrism with Mexican features. He’s also famous for his skeletons and La Catrina.

Eduardo L., Mexico

The federals caught me and they were going to shoot me for being a rebel. I implored the Lord of Chalma for my life, and that moment general Pancho Villa came into the town with his troops. They made the federals run away and saved my life. So I decided to join them, for which I dedicate this retablo.

Herminio N. ~ Saltillo, Coahuila

My old man Cirilo used to drink in the bar with his friends. I was very desperate because he couldn’t stop. I begged the Holy Lord of Chalma to help him to quit this sin, and thanks to his divine intervention my old man amended his ways and became a good worker.

Domitila Castrejon ~ Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

Mercedes Cataño is grateful to the Holy Lord of Chalma because Santiago proposed to her after she was told that he had married and wouldn’t come back but it wasn’t true.

San Mateo Tlaltenango, 1930

Daniel thanks the Lord of Chalma for saving him from dying at such a dangerous heart surgery when he was between life and death. He thanks for the received favor.

January 25, 1990

Tacubaya, Mexico City

Sr. Macario gives infinite thanks to the Lord of Chalma for saving his cow Pancha from dying from a rare disease that was killing all the animals and with no cure from it. He brings this retablo as his gratitude for this.

October 25, 1970
Ixtlahuaca, Mexico

The villages of Sierra de las Cruces and Monte Alto, state of Mexico, we thank the Holy Lord of Holy Face from Campana, the Lord of the Exaltation from Xochicuautla, the Virgin of Gaudalupe on the board, Mary of Los Remedies, Naucalpan, Saint James of Temoaya, the Holy Lord of Chalma and Saint Michael the Archangel from Ameyalco for covering us with their mantles and keeping COVID-19 away from us. It was invented by the governments to end with villages and old people.

August 2020, CAHD

A young man Florentino Mendoza thanks the Lord of Chalma for helping him to successfully perform the Pass of Death at the cowboy championship and get the first prize for his team “The Golden Cowboys”, for which he dedicates this humble retablo.

Tetepango, Hidalgo

— Brain fried.
BUAP — Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla)

— So much time for a piece of paper?
2004–2009

Holy Lord of Chalma, I ofer you this retablo for my son Emmanuel Espin by father and Pineda by mother would finish his studies this year and begin to work. His parents, brothers, friends, teachers and relatives we all insistently part to you because we miss him.

2009

Alfredo gives infinitive thanks to the Lord of Chalma for he managed to extinguish his gas truck when it got on fire after losing the brakes and crushing into another car. Thus he avoided a bigger tragedy. He brings this retablo for the received favor.

January 14, 1985
Mexico City

When I was returning after having coated my brother-in-law’s house and with few drinks inside, the fucking devil appeared to me. I ran so fast out of there that I even sobered up. I asked the Holy Lord of Chalma to look after me and deliver me from the evil. Now I’m thanking and promise not to use an expression “Devil fucks your mother” ever again.

Jose Trinidad Martinez de Jesus
Tacuba neighborhood, Mexico City
July 6, 1984

The other night my friend and I went to the bar to drink some tequilas. But we lost control, and after a while got so drunk and sentimental talking about our fails in love that when we realized what was going on we were pretty close to each another and ready to kiss. We thank the Lord of Chalma for we have our conscience back and didn’t do it. We remain being friends as usual.

Juan N. and Silvestre R. ~ Tonala, Jalisco

Daniel gives infinite thanks to the Holy Lord of Chalma for saving his life when the brakes in his truck failed on the way from Cuernavaca. He thanks for this favor.

April 15, 1989, Mexico City