I thank the Virgin because in spite of my lack of musical talent, thanks to modern technology I can sample songs and make a living out of it.

I asked for a lifeguard job without knowing how to swim. I thought it wouldn’t be very difficult and I could meet nice girls on the beach. But one day I almost drowned trying to save a lady who, I thought, was drowning. But she was only doing some exercises. I thank Saint Peter because the lady knew how to swim and she saved me. So I’d better sell coconuts on the beach.

Cayetano Dominguez
Acapulco

The parents kicked out Roberto Carrasco. He had no job. He prayed to Saint Pancras and got a job as a chippendale. So he can continue his studies. He thanks for that with the retablo.

I dedicate this retablo to Saint Andrew, because after so many prayers and many hours working on the streets I finally managed to pay for my breast augmentation surgery. So now the other girls won’t laugh at my tits, and all clients will go straight to me.

I thank the Virgin of Zapopan, because I inherited the carousel from my grandfather, at which he worked all his life. All my childish fantasies were about that carousel. I rode my favorite horse and imagined [...] Now I can quite my dull job and dedicate myself to the carousel. I look at the children who ride horses similar to those I used to ride, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make them happy.

Raquel Flores and Elena Ortiz thank the Virgin of San Juan because they won a bikini contest in Acapulco and they were even offered modeling contracts.

Ernesto Ortega was caught having sex with the housemaid. With this retablo he thanks Saint Raymond because she wasn’t fired and he was only sent in a boarding school.

I thank Saint Francis with this retablo for helping me to finally find a job as a masseur in public baths.

I travel all over the country with my carousel. I come to most forgotten villages. The children run to see the wonderful carousel, and I’m happy seeing their amazed faces, because usually they see something like this for the first time in their life. Who can, pays. Who has no money, also can ride a little bit. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for this job that allows me to travel and to bring happiness to the children.

Sandra Romero thanks the Virgin of San Juan for her new job as a TV interviewer. She happens to interview various actors.

Because of financial problems, we had to move to the outskirts of the town to live with aunt Cleotilda. My girls were scared because on their way to school they had to go through the old, abandoned cemetery. There were a lot of horrific stories about the cemetery. They were so frightened, they refused to go to the school. But thanks to the Virgin of the Rosary my husband found a good job, so we can moved back to the town. We thank for that.

Candida Martinez had a tough choice to make. He feel in love with two men in at the same time, Humberto, a shop owner, who gave her a lot of presents, and Martin, who spoke so sweet about love. She thanks the Lord of Villaseca for helping her to choose Martin. Now she asks only for a good job for him, so they could get married.

Guanajuato
May 15, 1959

I thank St. Martin the Cavalryman with this humble retablo because my son Pascual finally straightened his life up and found a job. He was already 35 years old, and he didn’t do nothing, only listened his music. I couldn’t support him any longer.

Eleuteria Reyes, Mexico City