Mrs. Debbie Nathan dedicates this retablo to her colleagues from MCLAP (Mexican Capital Legal Assistance Program) and to the clients who had a great courage to cross the border and one day got involved in sad situations and now they are facing the death penalty. We, from MCLAP, are fighting for our dearest clients’ lives. We are also facing the danger going in the regions terrorized by the drug-traffic. Let the forces and the spirits, natural and supernatural, protect us so we could continue to live and enjoy our lives in our neighbor countries.

New York — Mexico City 2011
Bless our way!

Doroteo Juarez used to drink a lot of mescal. One evening he saw a giant nagual in shape of dragon. The nagual asked for a drink, and Doroteo got so frightened that he promised to the Virgin of Guadalupe to stop drinking if she chase the nagual away. The nagual disappeared like smoke in the air. The Doroteo’s wife thanks the Virgin because her husband doesn’t drink anymore and his life is happier now.

I’m grateful to the Virgin of Guadalupe because my arm is alright now. El Santo took me in the clutch twisting my arm, and I couldn’t move it for three months. I asked for your help. I can move my arm now, so I’m back to wrestle.

Enrique
Mexico, 1969

Julio Flores offers this retablo to the Virgin of Guadalupe for saving him from dying when he was hit by a truck while selling tacos. He thanks the Virgin.

Tacubaya neighborhood, Mexico City
November 20, 1992

We thank the Virgin of Zapopan for the opportunity to see such a marvelous sight, when the good souls were flying to the sky, shining bright in the moonlight.

J. H. caught a genital infection. It was unbearable, and since nothing helped her she prayed the Virgin of Guadalupe. She found a cure and didn’t die of a broken heart. She’s endlessly thankful for that.

I thank the Virgin because she has always protected my husband Salomon during his dangerous high-wire act <…>

I give thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe for saving me from a tremendous viper bite when I went to the field. I was praying to the Virgin in heaven, and that moment my nephew appeared. He helped me to arrive to where I was helped and my life was saved.

Celso Peña Luna
Rancho los Toriles
August 1980

With this retablo I, Juan Luis (write with pencil), and Stefani (she writes with red color) are thanking you for the miracle on day 12, month 12, year 2013, at the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. If it were not your mediation, we could beat each other to death. Stefani got furious because I drank her last booze and left nothing to her. So she started to beat on my head with her rosary.

And after that we made love.

Mexico City
December 12, 2013

I had an accident in the circus, but you protected me, Virgin.

1979

I give thanks to the queen of my fatherland, Saint Mary of Guadalupe, for giving me health and a job to tell these stories about the revolution that goes on even now. This great woman, Elin Luque, opened the doors of the Casa Lamm for me. She is doing a marvelous work saving and protecting the value, customs and tradition of the Mexican exvoto. Because the art is a miracle that never dies. Till I have faith, hope and love, I swear my brushes speak for my fatherland.

Alfredo Vilchis Roque
Corner of the miracles
Minas de Cristo, Mexico
January 2011

Elin Luque Agraz is an art historian, curator and director of the Casa Lamm Cultural Center in Mexico.

Holy Mother of Guadalupe, I thank you from the bottom of my heart because I survived two surgeries, the one on August 24, 1948, and the other one on December 24, 1953.

Mexico
Soledad Garcia Montoya