My daughter Susana loved when I was reading stories to her. She loved fairy tales so much, she learned to read sooner than her sisters to be able to read them by herself. When I got sick, she read tales to me, and it was wonderful. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for such a clever and caring daughter.

I thank the Virgin of Talpa for giving me the opportunity of studying her retablos and for it was possible, thanks to the generous support of many people, to publish this book about her. I ask God for his intercession and to always look after the priests of Talpa, holy fathers Estrada Sting, Enrique Flores and Salazar Gonzalez, as well as Martha Becerra, don Francisco Arias and mr. Ernesto Valdez.

Prof. Elin Luque Agraz, Mexico City, May 10, 2015

My wife used to have terrifying nightmares because she read horror stories. She woke up at night screaming and kicking around. She even pushed me off the bed. I thank the Virgin of San Juan because my wife is into love stories now. She tells that she has nice dreams about handsome men, she looks like she kisses them at her dream, and we both can sleep in peace.

My Mother, I was dreaming about a man from my book for 10 days. He was dark and evil, he scared me, but he was handsome. I wanted him in my bed. A man from the market reminded me about this man, so I started to desire him. I prayed to you to help me with it, since I didn’t want to wallow in my desires. May you be blessed Mother because you sent me your love and power to overcome this desire.

I bring this retablo to Saint Pascual Baylon and the Virgin of Guadalupe for they sent to Sasha Tokmakov’s cranky and shrew wife the book “Fascinating Womanhood”. After having read it, she realized her mistakes and asked her husband for forgiveness. I promise to be a sweet and understanding wife. I apologize and promise to amend.

Odessa, 2020
Nata Tokmakova

When I was overwhelmed with problems in my life, a poetry book appeared near my bed. I got down to read it and I discovered that the poetry gives me wings and makes me fly free like a bird towards the immensity. Since then when I get sad or have a problem I submerge in the poetry and I forget for a while about everything and feel myself like a pure spirit without mundane burdens. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for this comfort.

I thank the Holy Heart for not having COVID-19 so I could dedicate more time to reading and meditating.

Moscow, April 24, 2020

I loved to read poetry aloud to feel the resonance of the words. But my husband and children didn’t want to know a thing about poetry and ran away. One day I went near henhouse to read alone. Chicken and hens came to me and sat around to listen. Ever sine I go to read to the chicken, and it seems they are always enjoying the poetry. I thank the Virgin for the miracle of giving me this audience.

Señorita Angelica Suarez was dusting books when scorpions began falling on her. She thanks Saint Rita with this retablo for having recovered after many stings.

Protect me, Virgin, from a magic book. When I open it the creatures appear.

I enjoyed going outside in the patio to read. One day a little girl came to me and asked me to read for her. Now I have many kids who come to listen me reading, and I love it very much. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because the children and the books alleviate my loneliness.

Rosa Telles was reading fairy tales to her kids when suddenly the Weeping Woman appeared in the window and tried to take them away. Rosa thanks Saint Ignatius of Loyola with the present retablo for they managed to escape.

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for leaving a poetry book near me when I had more problems and sadness than ever. I realized that the poetry gives me wings and makes me free as a bird flying in the immensity. Every time I feel sad or have a problem I submerge in the poetry and forget about everything for a while. I become a pure spirit.