Silvino Rivera thanks Saint Pancras with this retablo because his friends Diego and Frida don’t forget about him and visit him in his pulqueria-bar, and he finds them very glad.

Puebla, 1945

Things of love, Virgin of Guadalupe, in which we, people of bohème, can’t tell the difference. I fell in love with Ana and told her to marry me but she rejected me saying that she only wanted my money. Help me, Virgin, to forget her.

Inocente Baeza

The bar “Your way and mine”
Sign over the exit: “Come back soon”
Near the exit: “Women without documents are not allowed”

Thank you, Virgin of the Rosary, I was able to convince my fiancé to get back to the church for his own good.

Josefina — Oaxaca, Mexico, 1962

Disappointed in love, Jose Chavez got involved in booze. He implored Saint Pancras in such a predicament, and now he gives him proper thanks because a new hope has appeared in his life. He only asks, having jumped out of the frying pan, not to get into the fire.

Puebla, 1925

To you, Virgin of Guadalupe, I entrust to rest the lost souls who appear in the bar.

I swear I won’t drink anymore. R. C.

I thank the Lord of Chalma for giving me willpower to stop drinking and regain my wife’s love and my kids’ affection who forgave me the pain I caused them with this damned vice of mine when I was wasting all my money in the bar.

Ramon Corona
Cuajimalpa, Mexico, May 10, 1959

When Emeterio Ribera walked out of the pub he met the ghost of the hanged man. He even got sober right away He thanks Saint Pacnras for it didn’t hurt him and he only shit his pants from fear.

Puebla, 1915

With this humble retablo, I give infinite thanks to the Virgin of Juquila for protecting me on every November 2, because on this night my bar fills with the souls of the dead of the town who come very cheerful to celebrate their day with lots of music and mezcal.

Nicandro Tejeda ~ Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico

Anselmo got drunk because of a love pain, and he was so drunk he fell asleep outside the canteen. When he woke up the next morning he found out that the dead took control of the town. They walked around like they were inhabitants of the town. Anselmo closed his eyes and began to pray fervently to the Virgin of Guadalupe. When he opened his eyes the dead had gone and the normal people was walking around. He thanks the Virgin.

Teofilo Martinez’ canary, which was very important to him, was stolen while he went to the bar to take a leak. He implored Saint John Bosco and the next day found the bird. He’s happy to be with it and gives thanks.

Puebla, 1945

One night leaving the bar I met this woman at a corner. She invited me to the hotel, and she made me feel that my wife denied me. She gave me confidence, and I learned with her advices and therapy in the bed. Now my wife is very happy. My marriage is saved, and I will never forget hat woman. San Jude Thaddeus, thank you for keeping my secret about the hotel.

El Inocente,
Mexico City — October 28, 2010

To Lord of Chalma I prayed with all my soul so that he would help me to quit drinking. Every time I got drunk I beat my wife and kids with a belt. But I really love them. Thats’ why I quit drinking. Thank you for delivering me from this sin.

Eliodoro, May 10, 1925
San Francisco del Rincon, Guanajuato

Inocencio Fernandez was in the bar, being well drunk after a lot of mezcal. He began to see many skeletons around him. One of them asked him “Why you are alone?” It was the Death in person who tried to take him. He thanks Saint Michael for he could escape, running out of the bar, safe and sound before he died on that November 2. He promised to amend his ways.