Virgin, thank you because I won the wrestling championship.

«The Red Wolf»
Arena Mexico — January 21, 1980

The things in the Felipe Gonzalez’ newspaper kiosk had been going well until it was demolished by a truck. Felipe thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe because he managed to restore the kiosk.

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for curing my sheep. They were dying of a horrible disease which no remedy could cure. I prayed to your divine image, and now my sheep are healthy. I offer you this retablo as gratitude.

Juventino
Pueblo Nuevo, 1945

Juaquina Mendosa brings this retablo joyfully thanking the Virgin of Guadalupe for curing her husband’s rheumatism. He couldn’t walk, and now he dances.

Cholula, 1912

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for the miracle of my father getting better. We played football, and he fell and hit the back of his head. He lied almost like a dead man. I prayed the Virgin so he would survive. I offer this retablo as my gratitude.

Jose Chavez M.
Cholula, July 18, 1940

Francisco Lopez, his wife Maria and their child Jose thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for giving them the strength to cross the Arizona desert and fulfill their American dream and earn some dollars.

January 25, 1985

I bring this humble retablo to the Virgin of Guadalupe as my eternal gratitude for helping me to drop this vice of mine. All days long, I was drinking at the bars and saloons losing my life and my health. But I’m healthy now and even have got a job.

Delfino Mendoza
Guanajuato, Mexico

La Catrina came to me and gave me a bird. Thank for she didn’t hurt me.

Lucy, 1971

I went with my daughters to stay at my aunt Roberta’s house for few days. She lived in an old mansion which had used to be a convent. At night I heard my girls screaming. When I entered their room I felt something cold and strange. The girls were scared so I took them to my room. They told me they saw ghosts. I thank the Virgin for the ghost didn’t hurt my girls and disappeared very quickly. Later my aunt told me that she had seen the ghost few times.

Virgin of Guadalupe, I thank you for quitting this vice of marijuana addiction although it happened in a very macabre manner—with seeing all those skeletons in my madness.

Campeche, 1944

I dedicate this retablo to you, Virgin of Guadalupe, for saving me from dying when I hang myself. The dog opened the door in my room so my family noticed what I’m doing and pulled me down.

Eluterio Martinez
Tacubaya, Mexico City, 1960

My puppy was born with three heads. Thanks for it has made it to adulthood.

Working in the field is hard, but the birds make my day when they fly over me, sit on my shoulders and sing to me. And I talk with them. Ever since I was little the birds looked for me. They feel good around me. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for this miracle of coexistence.