Thank you, Virgin of Guadalupe, for all your favors. I used to climb to the mountains to look at Popocatépetl. One day I fell asleep and fell down injuring my arm and my leg. I couldn’t walk for a while. I dedicate this retablo to the Brown skin girl of Tepeyac.

Mauro Ortiz

A drunk driver crashed into the gas station where Nicanor Meneses was working. He thanks Saint Cajetan for everybody survived in the fire.

Rafael Morales was teaching his sister to play bowling, and she, by a careless accident, dropped the ball on his foot. He thanks Saint John Bosco for his fracture has healed quickly and he’s back to work.

In Morelia, señora Justina Lopez Agua was getting out the tram, and her dress got caught so she fell under the wheels. She implored the Virgin of the Health and was saved. She dedicated this retablo in gratitude.

February 1890

The cadet Rafael Vasquez got drunk and—being in this inappropriate state—shot his superior. He thanks the Merciful Lord for he was only sentenced to five years in prison and the wounded man suffered no bad consequences.

During a soccer game, I was standing in the “wall” at a free kick. The ball hit me in the balls so hard, that I was carried away in a stretcher. I thank Saint Raymond Nonnatus for it didn’t affect my virility since my wife’s just told me that she’s pregnant with triplets. I dedicate the retablo for this.

Placido Carrasco
Toluca, Mexico state

Juan Ramos was installing big umbrellas on the beach, when the strong wind took him in the air. He thanks Saint Jude because he fell not from a great height and only injured a rib.

When I washed my daughter Rosita, I slipped on soap and hit myself very badly. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because after that all my family helped me with the work around the house. I was put in the bed, and my husband brought me sweets and flowers. So now I know they loved me very much.

April 23, 1963. I’m thanking Saint Jude Thaddeus for saving me from dying when I hit an electric pole and stayed several months in the hospital.

Gustavo Teran Morales
Guanajuato

The boy Pedro Ruiz was riding his three wheel bicycle, went to the road and was almost hit by a truck. He thanks the Holy Child of Atocha for he wasn’t smashed to pieces.

Thank you, Virgin of Guadalupe, for your great favor! One evening, I was at the seashore on the Rosario beach in Baja California. Suddenly my kitten Nicolas fell out of my hands. But then a beautiful mermaid appeared and give him back to me safe and sound.

Amalia Ramirez
December 20, 1968

Juan Gomez and Fernando Martinez used to take drugs in an old house. One day the house collapsed on them. They give thanks to Saint Charbel for saving them and promise to amend their ways.

Hector Aguilar, a bowling player, got distracted by a hot girl and dropped the ball on his feet. He thanks Saint Pancras for the recovery and promises not to flirt anymore. Besides he’s married.