It happened to señor Victorino Mejia, an ordinary man from San Martin Texmelucan, Puebla, who went to the celebration, that he drank a lot and got drunk. On his way back he laid to sleep under a tree. Some vultures came and started flying over him. He entrusted himself to the Holy Virgin of San Juan, and she scared the vultures away. Victorino dedicates the present retablo in gratitude and promises to never drink again.

1947

Delfina Rosas dedicates this retablo to the Virgin of the Solitude thanking her for fulfilling her dream—to participate in the celebrations of the Guelaguetza this year. It’s so exciting to be a part of such an important and beautiful Oaxacan tradition.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Serapio Papaqui thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for letting him to keep dancing as hue hue at this year carnival. Last year he accidentally shot himself with carbine and almost died. He was afraid they wouldn’t let him to participate at the carnival after that accident and it’s been his family tradition for many years.

Huejotzingo, Puebla

The pig’s ghost came in during our celebration. Thanks to the Virgin it didn’t spoil our fun.

1975, Rosario

Nothing serious happened.

I dedicate the present retablo to Saint Anne for granting me a miracle of being able to organize my Britney Guadalupe’s 15th birthday party. It was my dream since I had no such celebration. I was selling everything: tupperware, clothes, shoes, makeup by catalog and even tamales on Sundays. But it worth to see my little girl as a princess, so happy on her special day.

Carmelita Perez \ Morelia, Michoacan

Dominga Zepeda accidentally got her hair on fire during a torrito run at the San Miguel Canoa town holiday. She thanks Saint Michael Archangel because her hair have grown back and nothing serious happened.

Mercedes Ramirez wholeheartedly thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for the miracle that her husband Juan came back from the United States to spend Christmas and New Year with her and their two little kids. He was gone for entire year, and they couldn’t see him and missed him very much.

Puebla, Mexico

Juan Carlos Herrerías brings this retablo to Saint Elias thanking him for big success he has every year dressing as Santa Claus, and the kids enjoy it very much.

Mercedes Salazar wholeheartedly thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe 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 entire year, and they couldn’t see him and missed him very much.

Puebla

I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because after so many years my children and my grandchildren finally come to spend the Christmas with me. I clean from the Nativity scene figures from dust, and my husband gets a beautiful Christmas tree. I’m so happy to decorate it with my grandchildren, like I did with my children at the times. Thanks for so many happiness and love.

With this humble retablo, I thank the Holy Child of Atocha for protecting me on every November 2. This night my bar is filled with the souls of the dead from the village. They come very happy to celebrate their holiday with a lot of music and mezcal.

Ramiro Dominguez \ Zacatecas, Mexico

At the Christmas party in the neighborhood, I went to put some liquor in my punch. Since I was already tipsy I got into the piñata event and was kicked in the head. I give thanks to the Holy Child of Atocha because I got only the lump. I promise not to drink so much on December holidays.

Celedonio Hernandez \ Zacatecas, Mexico

Help me, Virgin, to make the animals understand that they have to be eaten on your holiday.