Señor Alfonso Rivera was suffering from his drug using son who, when he came home, beat his father with a belt. He thanks the Lord of the Wonders because his son admitted that he had a problem and rehabilitated. His life has become calmer.

I thank Jesus Valverde for saving me from dying. When we arrived to California (USA), my guide got mad because of being heavily drugged. I entrusted my life to him [Jesus] and could escape. In this retablo, I show this miracle.

Jose P.
Navolato, Sinaloa, 1990

Juan Gomez and Fernando Martinez used to take drugs in an old house. One day the house collapsed on them. They give thanks to Saint Charbel for saving them and promise to amend their ways.

I dedicate this humble retablo to the Infant Jesus of Prague because when I was addicted to drugs I was spending my days sniffing cocaine and chatting with my buddies in internet. Now it’s been three days since I’m clean.

The young man P. M. got so drunk and overdosed he decided to pass through the wall. He thanks for he was taken to the hospital after that accident. He promises to amend his ways and to get out of the bad habits.

The young girl Ana Maria Suarez was really hung-up on drugs. She was even offering herself on the streets. She thanks Saint Jude with this retablo for her recovery.

Drugs, money, power. Thank you, my dear Jesus Malverde.

Enrique Perez loved to go to prostitutes. But one day he got drugged and was left naked and tied up in the motel. He thanks Saint Pancras for his wife didn’t divorce him and promises to amend his ways.

Mother, there is your daughter, take care of her.
Daughter, there is your mother, love her.

Thank God I found my daughter who ran away after she had found that I was going to divorce her father. I didn’t think about pain I caused to her. I thought it over and I’m very sorry. Now, when I found her living on the streets, I give thanks because I saved her from the vice of drugs. I swear to take care of her and to give her love and affection as she deserves. I realized that motherhood is a blessing but also a responsibility.

M. G. P.
Mexico — March 8, 2004

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe because I managed to stop taking drugs and I returned home to my parents, whom I love so much. I dedicate this retablo thanking you for helping me to get rid this bad habit.

Andres Torres
May 11, 1990
Tacubaya, Mexico

I dedicate this retablo to the Holy Child of Atocha. I was practically hopeless because of my addiction to all kinds of drugs and alcohol. But I found a good job in the church of the parish priest don Ernesto, who gives me shelter, clean clothes and good food.

“He gave his life so you could live.”

— said mr. Crayencourt to the factory employees that cold morning while they were looking at the young heroin addict’s corpse. He had been in charge of money-laundering from drug traffic at the factory where they worked.

December 2003

Thanks to Saint Cecily for helping me to stay away from alcohol, drugs and gambling.

Rolando Renteria S.
11 August