When I was at my aunt and uncle’s house to eat the king cake, I bite a piece and felt a figurine in my mouth. I wanted to swallow it so that I don’t have to pay for tamales on the Candlemas, but I choked instead. I thank Saint Charbel because my uncle Pancho knew first aid and saved my life. I promise not to do such things and to pay for tamales when I get figurine in a cake.

Mexico

Mercedes Salazar wholeheartedly thanks Saint Christopher for the miracle that her husband Alberto came back from the United States to spend Christmas and New Year with her and their two little kids. He was gone for a whole year, and they couldn’t see him and missed him very much.

Puebla

We wholeheartedly ask the Holy Child of Atocha, with this humble retablo, to end this pandemic, because we weren’t able to celebrate the Christmas holidays as we traditionally do because of COVID-19. We beg to be able to celebrate them the next year with all our relatives and friends.

The Lopez family, 2020

I put too much liquor in my punch at the Christmas party in my neighborhood. Since I was getting tipsy, I came where doña Juanita was about to hit the piñata and she gave me such a tremendous blow in the head that I even saw stars. I give thanks to the Virgin of Juquila because nothing serious happened and I only got a lump. I promise not to drink so much on these December holidays.

Lucio Pacheco, Puebla

Thank you, Virgin of Guadalupe, for giving my son Paco another chance to live and to bring him health, granting the favor that I asked you for, with all my mother love. Now he’s living his life again, after getting out from the hospital and coming back home on December 12. Today, December 24, I bring you this retablo as I promised you. Thanks and Merry Christmas to all the children of the world!

Ajusco mountains, Mexico City

My son and I are from the United States, but we love Mexican culture, especially everything related to the traditions of the Day of the Dead. I’m infinitely grateful to Saint Christopher, with this exvoto, for we managed to travel to the Mexico City and enjoyed the parade of Katrinas and skeletons. It was a very beautiful and colorful experience.

We salute sr. Malverde at the feast of the Skull.

Every November 2, I go to the cemetery to visit my dead father and to bring him flowers and candles. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe with this retablo for, despite the modern age and the passage of time, this beautiful tradition didn’t go away. We remember our dear ones who are not with us physically anymore, and it gives us hope to see them again one day.

San Andres Mixquic, Mexico

I give thanks to Saint Jude Thaddeus for letting me to put my offerings once again this year. It’s very important for me to never forget my beloved ones, and I fell them even closer to me during these All Saints’ feasts. I know they are happy to come and enjoy what I put, with great love, to their altar.

Adelaida Reyes ~ Oaxaca, Mexico

I thank the Holy Cross because we were drinking on its holiday and thanks to that we avoided the metro accident.

Maik, 3/5/21

~ Mexico City Metro overpass collapse

I thank you, Saint Isidor Laborer, for pulling the rains off our neighborhood and for I could close the gate to my hallway to protect my house from the deluge in our block, as it happened with my neighbor who couldn’t celebrate her niece Michelle’s first communion because of that.

A grateful Mexican
Cuautepec BB, Mexico City, August 2014

Infinite Thanks to Cher, because without her I may never have had the courage to be out! I knew I was a lesbian at 6, but it wasn’t until I first saw her in 1971 on the first Sonny & Cher Show that I knew at 11, I had the courage to do anything! She inspired me to come out at 13 and be proud. Not bad for a poor Housing Commission girl in 1974! I will never forget the song “Half Breed” Cher, the horse, & the sexy extravagance. No wonder I rode my motorbike through the crowd at the Palais in St. Kilda at “An Extravagant Lesbian Night” with just a g-string, a cap & a whole lot of body oil! Thank you, Cher!

Irene Reenie Christodolou

One night in the month of May, I was preparing meal to celebrate my wedding anniversary. I decided to make a tortilla soup, although I didn’t know how to cook it. Some time later I didn’t know should I let the soup boil any longer or not. When I lost my hope, I entrusted myself to Saint Paschal Baylon. In his infinite mercy, he enlightened me, and I managed to prepare the soup by leaving it boil just the right time.

Sandra Perez, Mexico City, 2015