Virgin of Guadalupe, don’t let mister Osama bin Laden attack the United States again, especially with nuclear bombs, because my relatives are working over there, in Los Angeles, California. Let there be piece and no war for we all are your sons. Bring them to their senses for the good of humanity.

Jesus, Mexico City
September 30, 2001

Gudelia Morales dreamt about being a great figure skater. She thanks Saint Martha because her dream came true, although she had to move to United States for it.

Alfredo Gutierrez thanks the Lord of Chalma for giving him a strong diarrhea, because of what he was late for his work as a waiter in a restaurant in the Twin Towers in New York. So he was saved from dying.

September 11, 2011

We, Jose, Luis and Pablo Martinez, dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of Juquila. Our border crossing guide left us but then came back. So we managed to get to New York and make a lot of dollars. Now we are going back to Mexico and we thank you for protecting us during these three years abroad.

Puebla — July 18, 1999

I thank the Virgin of San Juan for the miracle that I didn’t die in the desert when the guide left me alone.

Lucio R., 1999

Mrs. Debbie Nathan dedicates this retablo to her colleagues from MCLAP (Mexican Capital Legal Assistance Program) and to the clients who had a great courage to cross the border and one day got involved in sad situations and now they are facing the death penalty. We, from MCLAP, are fighting for our dearest clients’ lives. We are also facing the danger going in the regions terrorized by the drug-traffic. Let the forces and the spirits, natural and supernatural, protect us so we could continue to live and enjoy our lives in our neighbor countries.

New York — Mexico City 2011
Bless our way!

Eleazar Camargo went to the USA to make money but returned back really fucked up. He entrusted himself to Saint Martin and started to sell carnitas. The thing have been going pretty well, so he brings this retablo in gratitude.

Uruapan, 1935

May you be blessed God for saving us from dying in the September 11 attacks on the Twin Towers because we were late for work in the restaurant in one of the towers.

Pablo Montes and Gustavo Padilla
Puebla, Puebla
October 7, 2001

I thank God and San Anthony of Padua for sending me a fiancé. I thought I would stay an old maid forever. And when I expected nothing to happen I heard a serenade. It was Pedro Lopez, a boyfriend that I had before and who came back from USA. We got married and now we are very happy.

Juanita Gomez
Colorado ranch, Jalisco, Mexico
27 May 1976

I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of Carmen so that American people would elect John McCain as president because he is a patriot who often goes in the restaurant where my son works, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Señor Arturo and his son Antonio give infinite thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe because she gave them enough strength to cross Arizona desert and to fulfill their American dream of coming to USA.

Mexico City — January 11, 1985

Gumersindo Jimenez went abroad for work when he was a little boy. He gives thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe because he managed to make some money. He bought a carousel and returned back to his beloved Mexico to work with his family.

Zitacuaro, Michoacan

We thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for letting us cross the river and arrive to the USA for work. From the bottom of the heart we offer you this retablo.

The Ramiraz Gutierrez family
Guadalajara, Jalisco
July 10, 1979