I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan for the success I had this season with Tania the elephant and her marvelous act that won the audience.

Celeste Atayde
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Season 1980, “Atayde” circus

I bought a piñata for my son Beto’s birthday because he wanted it so much. I put a blindfold on his eyes and, as a joke, turned him around many times to make him dizzy. But he ended up confusing me with the piñata and began to beat me with a stick. I thank the Virgin of San Juan because his grandmother could stop him before he smashed me.

Jacinto Ruiz ~ Queretaro, Mexico

My girlfriend’s father was a very strict and jealous farmer. She told me that he was scaring all her suitors and was telling that no one deserves his daughter. I thank the Virgin of San Juan because we got along well and he accepted me because he realized that I really love his daughter, and he sees me like a son.

Saul Fuentes ~ Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

Thank you, Virgin of San Juan, for my son Kid Terranovo won the national boxing championship.

His parents
Mexico City, January 7, 1972

Two nights ago I was looking for my lost cow, when the Ghost from Sayula appeared. It wanted to take me taking advantage of the moment when I had to do my business. It promised me a good reward. Being under such a pressure, I implored the Virgin of San Juan who helped me to escape well from this horror. This retablo is in gratitude.

Tito Martinez
Mexico, 2018

We dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan because my son Adrian wasn’t kidnapped thanks to a black stray dog that defended him when they wanted to take him.

Grateful family
Tacubaya, Mexico, January 6, 2015

I bet my life in a cock-fight. Thank you, Virgin, I won and saved myself.

I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because I can support, feed and even sometimes spoil my cats. And they give me their love and keep me company.

Two handsome men moved in our building. But then we found out that they turn into horrible vampires at night and fly out of the window to sate their thirst with young girls. My boyfriend and I thank the Virgin of San Juan for we aren’t two juicy chicks.

To the Holy Virgin of San Juan, I dedicate this retablo thanking for protecting me from the immigration police when they were running after me. I entrusted myself to her and was able to get to Rio Bravo, hide myself and cross it. With her blessing, I came to California and got a job. I saved good money and opened my tacos shop here in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco.

Your devoted Isidro O.
June 17, 1990

When Gregoria Coyotzi was gathering wood, she received a blow in her bottom from her donkey. It broke her coccyx, and she was feeling very bad. She implored the Virgin of San Juan and got recovered. She’s infinitely thankful for that.

Puebla, 1914

Maria Concepcion Andrade, devoted to the Virgin of San Juan, brings this retablo with great devotion asking for the recovery of the painter Frida. She thanks for that in advance.

Mexico, 1945

We felt horror and anxiety of dying suffocating because of lack of air and terrible heat, locked up inside the trailer for more than four hours from Laredo to San Antonio, Texas. We made two holes with a knife to breathe a little bit because there were 70 of us, immigrants going to the United States in search of job. I thank the Virgin of San Juan because I managed to arrived alive to the destination. I pray for those who didn’t—let they rest in peace.

Immigrant, August 2017