I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for the friend request that Jaime sent me. I asked for it with all my faith, and now we are friends on Facebook.

Gabriela
Tijuana, Mexico — March 2015

I thank the Virgin of San Juan for giving me courage to run away with my boyfriend. Our friend helped us to go live together far away so our parents can’t punish us.

Carlos & Miguel

My neighbors gossiped that my friend was flirting with my husband and even wanted to take him away from me. One day I met her at the laundry place. I grabber her hair, so she looked like a scarecrow. I thank Saint Raymond Nonnatus because I have found that those rumors were lies. I reconciled with my friend, and from now on the gossipy neighbor won’t bother us.

Jacinta Luna, Mexico City

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