When I broke my leg, Jose Luis Medina visited me every day. He brought me flowers and chocolates and helped me to start walking again. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for such a caring suitor. I’m even thinking to accept his marriage proposal.

Thank you, Saint Jude Thaddeus, for all your favors. It started raining, and I, on my way home, had to cross the river. The rain was getting stronger, and I couldn’t get out of the current. My horse and I, we tried another time and got out but the horse stumbled and fell on me. My rib was broken, but I got better after I had an operation.

Blas Gallegos
Puebla, 1965

Exactly that moment when Jorge Moreno was going to propose to his girlfriend he was hit by a Coca-Cola truck. His girlfriend Juanita thanks the Virgin of San Juan because her future husband didn’t die and yet he proposed to her in the hospital right after his broken leg was put in plaster.

Agustin M. enjoyed having affair with married women until one day, when he had to escape through a window, he broke his leg. In addition to that, he was totally naked and got arrested for obscenity. He promises Saint Augustine to mend his ways.

Leonardo Gutierrez was performing at the concert for Confederation of Unions and fell in love with a girl who turned out to be the union leader’s girlfriend. Leonardo thanks Saint Cecily for he wasn’t killed and only got both of his legs broken, but the girl stays with him.

Holy Virgin of Sorrows, I give thanks to you for saving me from a certain death when I found myself as a recipient of flying dive of the wrestler Toro Negro (Black Bull). I only had two ribs broken and one arm bruised.

Maria Carmen Gomez de Hernandez
Mexico, April 10, 1993

Carlos Bermudes was installing a billboard when he was blown down by wind. He thanks his guardian angel for saving his life because he only broke both his legs.

Alberto Fernandez broke his leg playing soccer. He thanks Saint Juan Bosco with this retablo because the fracture healed, and now he can play again.

Maria Antoniela Perez broke her back when she tried to reach the top shelf of the cupboard. The cupboard fell on her and smashed her. She and her parents, doña Luz and don Ramon, give thanks to the Holy Virgin of Zapopan because the girl marvelously recovered. And the doctor said she is going to be alright.

Joaquina Hernandez broke her hip when she fell on the soap in the shower. She thanks the Holy Child Doctor for her quick recovery.

Gustavo Ortega was roller-skating. He fell and broke his arm. Since no remedy helped him, he prayed to Saint Jude Thaddeus. With his help the arm got healed, and Gustavo thanks for that with this retablo.

Saint Jude Thaddeus, thank you for your help. One day my husband came home in bad mood because a sheep fell of the cliff. My husband was drunk. He went on the kitchen and tried the chilaquiles I made. He got furious, he threw the pan saying that the food wasn’t spicy enough. I asked him not to get mad. But he grabbed my hair and kick me in the face. He broke my jaw. So I had it, and I kicked him out the house.

Victoria Mendoza
Pachuca, Hidalgo, 1975

With this drawing, I want to thank Saint Francis for the miracle he made. Your slave Juan Luis Rubert had some drinks in the bar. On the way back, I was riding a horse and hit my head on a badly planted tree. I fell off the horse and broke two ribs and one leg. On top of everything I was stung by a viper.

However, that moonless night Saint Francis heard my prayers. He sent me my neighbor Geniero, who was passing by on his donkey. He took me to the hospital where I met Dr. Paty and fell in love with her.

Mexico City — December 2013