To avoid hitting a girl with a dog I made a sudden turn and almost crashed into a train. Only by a miracle of the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe my car stopped just in few millimeters from the train. I’m offering this retablo in gratitude on the day 30th of September 1957.

Alicia asks Saint Sebastian for forgiveness because she put horns on her husband with her boss in this hotel because her boss found out that her husband had crushed his car and wanted to throw him in jail for that. That’s why I accepted these conditions—so that Antonio wouldn’t go to jail.

January 25, 1985

A nagual jumped out on the road and wanted us to take him to his home. We took him there. Thanks for he didn’t harm us.

A car fell on the mechanic Ramon Lopez while he was repairing it. He thanks Saint Martin de Porres with this retablo for he was saved in time and his injures have been healed.

Humberto Pineda beat his girlfriend. Her brother tied him to his pickup truck and dragged him around leaving him badly injured. Humberto thanks Saint Raymond for the recovery and promises to not be the macho with women.

The worker Artemio Lopez brings the present retablo to Saint Nicholas thanking him for winning the Volkswagen factory’s lottery and getting a new car.

I thank with this retablo for the number of fines I got at the same radar located at the 175 km of N1 in direction to Burgos didn’t go over 51 and I stopped sponsoring of this highway segment. (Since 50 fines at the same radar was enough punishment.)

A drunk driver in his clunker hit Catarino Suarez, a traffic policeman. Catarina was in bad condition. He thanks the Lord of the Wonders for his recovery.

Mexico, 1949

I bring the present retablo to Saint Jude Thaddeus for the miracle that I managed to buy a little car for myself, although I have to pay by installments. But it was a real martyrdom to run after the minibuses every day. And the worst part was that they were always crowded and I had to put up with smelly armpits and body sweats as well as elbowing and stomping.

Zoila Perez, Mexico City

I admired a famous model of men’s magazines. She was my platonic love. I dedicate this retablo to Saint Jerome because one day she entered my repair shop when her car had broken down near by. My dream to meet her came true, and she even gave me her autograph. I’m so happy.

Felix Romero \ Tampico, Tamaulipas

May you be blessed, Virgin of Guadalupe, for the miracle that I survived after being hit be a car. I felt the death close to me, and it scared me a lot, so I swear to not drink again.

Pedro Hernandez, Tacubaya, 1986

Gerardo Martinez and Laura Ortiz decided that it would be fun to have sex in the trunk, but by a careless accident they ended up locked inside and had to be rescued. They thank Saint Peter for they didn’t suffocate inside and promise to not go crazy anymore.

Today I’d like to thank Saint Quiteria of Frexeiras because I’m completely recovered after being hit by a car in 1950.

October 2009
Maria Jose Alpuquerque
São Bernardo do Campo, SP