Chuchito Rendon got drunk and went to sleep into the concrete mixer. The next day, he was mixed. He thanks the Holy Child of Atocha because the mixer was stopped in time, although he got out all covered in his vomit.

I thank you, Virgin of San Juan, for I found my resignation. For a long time I couldn’t believe that Maria had left me. Although I wanted to drown my grief in alcohol, there was always somebody who was worrying about me. I ask you, Virgin, to protect my brother.

Pedro Mejia
Mexico City
April 17, 1983

Lord of Chalma, I thank you for saving my son from vice. He was lost and stopped working. It got so bad, he fell seriously ill. He swore to stop drinking for 10 years. Five years have already passed, and I bring you this retablo, as I do every year, thanking you for his willpower.

Modesta G.

I give thanks and dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of Chapi, because, although she was hell of a broad, I resisted the temptation of abusing my sister-in-law Olga, when she fell asleep after my bachelor-party at which we both got drunk.

Pascual Diaz was so drunk he saw the devil who tried to pierce him. Only thanks to the miracle of the Virgin of Zapopan Pascual was able to get rid of this vice. He thanks the Virgin.

Inocencio Tapia was drinking in the bar. He had so much mezcal, he started to see skeletons. They surrounded him, and one of them asked: “Why are you alone?” It was Death in person who tried to grab him. Inocencio gives thanks to Saint Michael for he managed to run away safe and sound and not kicked the bucket. It happened on November 2. Inocencio promises to behave well.

Tlaxcala

Vicente Lopez went to drink to the cemetery for not being scolded by his wife. But the dead didn’t appreciate this lack of respect. The skeletons rose from the ground to take Vicente in the grave. He thanks the Saint Michael the Archangel for his intervention and saving Vicente from the deadly clutches. Vicente was able to escape and now he promises not to drink anymore.

My husband changed for the worse. He began to visit bars and ladies of easy virtue. I was afraid to lose him, so I prayed to the Virgin for a change in his behavior. Finally I had an idea. I said to him that if he’d continue to flirt with dames, I would not cook for him anymore. And I cook really good. He thought it over and broke off his bad habits. I thank the Virgin of San Juan.

At the Christmas party in the neighborhood I drank a lot of punch with liquor. I didn’t notice how I got into the piñata event and there I was kicked right in the head. I give thanks to Saint Charbel for nothing bad happened to me and I got only the lump that disappeared within few days.

Pascual Garza — Monterrey

I was coming back from my brother-in-law’s house where I had plastered walls. I had had some drinks. Suddenly the fucking devil appeared to me. I was so scared, even my drunkenness went away. I asked you, Lord of Chalma, to protect me and keep evil away from me. Now I’m thanking you and promise not to say anymore what I used to say: «Go fuck your mother, Devil and all your friends!»

Jorge Anzaldo
Observatorio neighborhood, Mexico
April 19, 1999

May you be blessed, Our Mother of Guadalupe, for sending me relief from a strong hangover when I was vomiting with blood and feeling like death. I asked for saving my life and now I’m thanking you.

Felimon Roque
1990, Mexico

Aucencio Martinez thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe because he gave all his harvest to redeem his land from Don Miguel, the one from cantina, to whom he had pawned it. He promises not to drink again. I’m asking for mine and my son Jose’s health. I offer this retablo to you.

San Sebastian Buenos Aires, state of Mexico
August 16, 1983

In 1939 in a town Santo Tomas Chautla the barber Martin Gonzalez was working with a hangover and accidentally cut off the municipal president’s ear. The barber gives thanks to Saint Martin because he wasn’t thrown in jail and had no punishment.