I was in a rage after I had heard that Maria had neglected me and had decided to marry my best friend Artemio. The goddamn Devil climbed up on me and I stabbed Artemio. But when I saw death coming after him and when I realized that all this was only an infamous slender I prayed to God for saving Artemio’s life. In repentance I ask God for forgiveness and I offer this retablo for saving Artemio from death.

Elijio
Xochimilco, Mexico, 1950

On the Day of the Dead, I was walking through the cemetery when I met a ghost. The ghost started chasing me, so I instantly sobered up from fear. I prayed to Saint Francis to whom I’m thankful because the ghost didn’t catch me and I arrived home alive.

Puebla, 1931