A seamstress Domitila Betansos brings this retablo to the Virgin of the Solitude giving her thanks because she met the painter Frida who gave her a great present—a sewing machine that she lacked so much.

Puebla, 1939

Gaudensia Sanchez brings this retablo to the Holy Child of Atocha thanking him because her mistress, the painter Frida, gave her her device to play her favorite music which she desired so much.

Mexico, 1942

My patrons asked me to cook some mole and two turkeys. I was feeling bad to kill birds. I thank Saint Paschal because I convinced my patrons to have another dish and they even gave me those two turkeys as a gift. I took them back to my hut, and I’m very glad.

Carmela Jimenez

Oaxaca, Mexico

I love enjoying the life and my youth. That’s why I use my beauty to date three men at the same time. I thank Saint Catherine, with this retablo, because not one of them knows about this, so I can keep enjoying gifts and pamper they give me.

Erika N.

I had an affair with my secretary but one day I was unlucky to have my own daughter discover us by surprise in my office. I give thanks to Saint Jerome because I was able to convince my daughter to keep quiet in exchange for expensive gifts. So her mother won’t find out about my deceit and I can sleep in peace.

Ricardo del Castillo \ Nuevo León, Mexico

I dedicate this retablo to Saint Francis of Assisi thanking him for saving my rooster Colorado. He came badly injured from a tough fight, and I was afraid he’d die. I’m very fond of him since he was a gift from my father.

Venustiano Peña ~ Aguascalientes, Mexico

Jose Luis Gutierrez brings this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan thanking her because he found an old cup-and-ball toy which his grandfather gave him and which he thought was lost.

My father gave me a horse. But it was so wild he threw me every time. With every fall I hurt myself, but the worst was that I became a joke for everybody at the ranch. I ask the Virgin of San Juan, with all my faith, to help me. Finally I managed to tame the horse. Now my father is very proud of me.

Ponciano Aguilar \ Guadalajara, Jalisco

The Martinez’ cat died, and the children were very sad. Their relatives saw how inconsolable they are and started to give them kittens. The children thank the Virgin of San Juan for now they have six cute kittens. They’re very happy, and their parents also love new kittens.

The boy Gaudencio Ramirez brings this retablo to the Magi because he received as gifts a skate and a bike that he wished so much.

My patrons asked me to cook some mole and two turkeys. I was feeling bad to kill birds. I thank Saint Paschal because I convinced my patrons to have another dish and they even gave me those two turkeys as a gift. I took them back to my hut, and I’m very glad.

Maria Flores
Atlixco, Puebla

Some aliens came to my house. They had dubious intentions and seemed aggressive. But thank to the Virgin of Guadalupe I started to play my guitar, and the aliens got very happy with the music. Instead of attacking me, they started dancing and even gave me a cube before leaving. I don’t know how to use it but it’s very nice. I thank for they didn’t attack me.

Teofila Mendes thanks the Holy Child of Atocha because the artist Frida gave her a doll for her daughter on the Three Kings’ Day.

Mexico, 1939