1939, my wife got pregnant and I had no job at the time. So I became a shoeshiner and that way I met Frida, the artist. Having found out about my problem, she helped me. My wife gave birth to the baby, and I’m infinitely thankful for this to the Virgin of San Juan and to Frida.

Mexico City

Pregnant Ramona Barrales was scared by some carrancistas fighting in the bar. She thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe because she gave birth to her baby without problems.

Tlaxcala, 1912

Notes:
The Carrancistas were the revolutionary followers of the president Venustiano Carranza during the Mexican revolution.

The tortilla vendor Teofila Tecuapetla couldn’t get pregnant in spite of trying hard. She prayed Saint Paschal Baylon and now thank him because she got pregnant and gave birth to twins.

Cholula, 1934

The girl Juanita Robledo thanks Saint Francis with this retablo for her cat has brought into the world four beautiful kittens. They are her joy, and her mother will let her keep two of them.

With this humble retablo, I’m infinitely grateful to the Lord of the Wonders who, all these years I’ve been working as a midwife, has been guided my arms with his light to bring healthy babes to this world. May you be blessed.

Vicenta Tepox
Chignahuapan, Puebla

Nicolasa Huerta gave birth to her baby who turned out to be dead. She asked Saint John of the Cross for a help, and her baby was back to live. She brings this retablo in sign of her infinite gratitude for this great miracle.

Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, 1909

I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because my wife and I finally have a baby-boy. He take care of the family and inherit my estate when I’m gone.

Jose Carlos Mata del Rio

I thank the Virgin of Juquila for giving me the happiness of my son Benito Dxuladi, born in 2010. I dreamt to become a mother but, with my health problems, there was a big risk of dying if I get pregnant. I thank the Virgin for this miracle and dedicate her this retablo, thanking for being a mother. Now all my husband’s and mine difficulties are left behind.

The Sanchez family — June 17, 2010

Maria thank the Virgin because her labor went well.

Mexico, January 21, 1991

Ernestina Gonzalez thanks the Virgin oz Zapopan because her daughter Rosita gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby-girl. Her mother-in-law, Berta Patiño, ordered the present retablo in gratitude.

Mexico City, 1973

The Luis and Manolito Martinez’s dog had puppies, but the boys’ father threw them out. Thanks to Saint Francis the boys found the puppies in an alley when they were on their way to the school. They were able to save them because the dog of one of their classmates adopted them. Now the puppies are big and strong.

Holy Child of Atocha, I thank you for all your favors. It happened so I went to gather some food for a sick cow a day before I had to give birth. I gathered a very heavy basket, that’s why my contractions began while I was doing my laundry. Thanks goodness, my friend Ramona was near and she helped me. I was very sick, but the worst part was that a baby died. I thank the Holy Child for consoling me.

Elena Montes
Puente de Ixtla, Morelos, 1937

My dogs had five cute puppies. They were all so different so I decided to have all of them. I thank Saint Francis because my house is big enough and has a garden and I have enough money to keep all my dogs.