I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe with this retablo because I managed to execute the mission imposed on me by mr. Madero. With these great, brave women and with their tricks, we managed to transport successfully the arms and the ammunition in trains—from the border with Texas to Piedras Negras, Coahuila—to protect the “San Luis” plan.

A. Aguirre Benavides
October 1910

Thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe for saving me from the beatings from a damned gangster who left me almost dead. I dedicate this retablo for that miracle.

Mexico City, 1990

Virgin of Guadalupe, thank you for helping me to quit my masochism obsession. I asked my partner to whip my ass with a belt because only this way I felt myself really satisfied.

Carlos Jalil
Mexico City, 1960

Virgin of Guadalupe, I ask you, from the bottom of my heart, do not let mr. Osama bin Laden to attack U.S. again, especially with nuclear bombs, because my children work there, in Los Angeles, California. Let the piece reign and no war, My Holy Mother.

Silvia Hernandez
September 11, 2001

The music is a very important to our family, and it’s with us every day. Even our animals enjoy the music, and there are more singing birds in our garden than in any other. I thank the Virgin for such a harmony and because my children are also good musicians.

Roberto B. was kidnapped and held for 10 days. But thanks to his deep faith to the Virgin of Guadalupe he managed to hold out until he was saved by the police forces. He dedicates this retablo in gratitude.

The girl Luisa tames the tigers, and the tigers love her very much. The Virgin gives her protection, and Luisa thanks for that.

I was attacked by a horrible nagual that suddenly appeared. Terrified, I implored the Virgin of Guadalupe who made so that the nagual disappeared. However, I went through such a shock that my hair turned gray.

Jose Trinidad Lopez

Thank you, Virgin, for we weren’t attacked on the road. V. L.

It occurred to my wife to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a circus artist. She got on our old horse, put a feather in her hair and started doing some tricks. She got all the animals scared and even the horse felt itself humiliated. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for bringing my wife back to reason so she forgot about this. Now she is alright <. . .> because we are expecting our first baby (?).

Some bandits attacked the train when Menche and I were on it carrying our money to buy the parcel near the river. I thank the Virgin who gave me strength and courage to go up to the roof with all my money. The bandits didn’t find me there and we bought the land that we wanted so much for having our own little rancho.