My fiancée’s brother was so jealous that we had to hide our engagement. In order to spend more time together, she got an idea to dress me up like a woman so I could pass for her friend. I thank Saint Sebastian for her brother had to go to work in another country because he was already falling in love with me. Now my fiancée and I are free.

Cesar Morales — Oaxaca, Mexico

Virgin of Guadalupe, I’m offering you this retablo for getting me out from the life of prostitution and abuse. I met a good man who loves me and doesn’t care about my past. He proposed to me and I’m letting know about my happiness.

Laura M. The Hot Girl
Merced, Mexico City, 20006

I got this great idea to propose to my Chabelita in a trajinera-boat at Xochimilco. I thought it would be very romantic. But then I got so nervous I slipped and I fell into lake. I give infinite thanks to Saint Anthony of Padua because I didn’t lose the ring—it fell inside the boat—and, despite this embarrassing moment, my fiancée said “yes” which made me very happy.

Ramiro Tellez, Mexico City

B. S. liked when his lover put a cowgirl costume on and rode him. He gives infinite thanks to Saint Charbel with this retablo because she fulfills his fetish and they are even going to get married.

Maria offers this retablo to the Virgin of the Solitude because Felipe asked my hand in marriage. My father wanted me to marry don ***, the storekeeper. I prayed to you because I was in love with Felipe, and now we are together.

Celaya, Guanajuato, May 1929

I bring this retablo as testimony of gratitude to Saint Anthony of Padua who made so that Lolita became my fiancée. I was afraid she’d reject me since I wasn’t of equal position with her. But I loved her so much. Now we’re happy together, and her family is happy as well.

Benito Cruz — Guanajuato, 1946

Miss Concepción Torres brings this humble retablo to Saint Anthony of Padua for the miracle that the young Jasinto Lopez has responded to her love with a serenade in which he asked for her hand. Now they are very happy together.

Celaya, Guanajuato

I lied to my boyfriend out of fear and told him that I was a secretary while in fact I was working as a stripper. I thank Saint Raymond Nonnatus because when he proposed to me I revealed my secret, and he didn’t get angry. He understood me showing that he truly loves me and is not ashamed by my profession.

Esmeralda H. \ Tijuana, Baja California

Jorge Gutierrez had an idea to propose to his girlfriend dressing as clown without knowing that she is afraid of them. He thanks Saint Pancras with this retablo for he didn’t kill her with a heart attack.

Virgin of Guadalupe, I dedicate this retablo to you for helping me to met a good man who loves me and who have proposed to me despite of me being a prostitute. I thank you and bring this to your altar.

Carmen Hernandez
Merced, Mexico City, 2004

I took Dorita for a boat ride down the river. I planed to read her some poetry and declare my love to her. But when we passed the old cemetery down the river we saw dead men. They had come out their grave and were dancing, gathering flowers and waving to us. Dorita was so frightened that I though she’d never accept my proposal after this ride. However, thank to the Virgin of Guadalupe she agreed to marry me despite everything.

I bring this retablo as testimony of gratitude to Saint Anthony of Padua who made so that Lolita became my fiancée. I was afraid she’d reject me since I wasn’t of equal position with her. But I loved her so much. Now we’re happy together, and her family has accepted our relationship.

Maximino Cruz
Guanajuato

I made a very delicious cake for my daughter Marcela’s commitment dinner. But unfortunately my younger children are very gluttonous, so they ate almost the entire cake. But luckily—and forgive me God!—my daughter’s fiancé got measles, which he caught from his little sister. The dinner was canceled. And I’m immensely grateful to the Virgin of San Juan because the parents of the fiancé are very stiff and haughty and I didn’t know how to deal with such an embarrassing situation.