Doña Concha’s tavern

Many thanks, Saint Paschal, because you gave good taste to doña Concha’s dishes. and one really enjoys her food.

Benito Carmona

Some crocodiles came from the river to my kitchen. They were very happy staying there. I had no idea how to chase them away. I couldn’t cook beaqcuse I was afraid they bite my leg off. I prayed Saint Paschal Baylon to help me get my kitchen back. He blessed my broom that right away seemed shining. I knew it was a miracle, so I got on a stool and began to swipe the crocodiles out. The blessed power of my broom scared them a lot, and they went away. I give thanks.

I dedicate the present retablo to Saint Paschal Baylon thanking him because my grandmother Petra instilled me love for the kitchen since childhood. She was a great cook, and I inherited this from her. I discovered my vocation, and I’m a professional chef now. I proudly bring the taste of the traditional Mexican cuisine to the entire world.

Catalina Muñoz \ Oaxaca, Mexico

To you, Miraculous Virgin of Guadalupe, I offer this retablo thanking for saving my tit when I accidentally got it in my mortar while grinding corn. I was in a terrible pain but you helped me. I also thank you, Saint Paschal Baylon, because despite all this my mole wasn’t bitter and everyone liked it. I give thanks for this favor.

Agustina Perez—Puebla de los Angeles—August 17, 1937

Virgin of Guadalupe, thank you for saving us from a giant spider at the kitchen.

Virginia Salina
Necaxa — July 18, 1940

My mother-in-law always criticized my food because she didn’t like me as a daughter-in-law. It was very difficult for me when we were eating. I was in such despair so I entrusted myself to Saint Paschal. Little by little she changed her attitude towards me. Now she even admits that I cook very well, and there is peace among us now.

Guillermina Tehutle
Cholula, Puebla, 1947

When I came to work to the Orozcos’ house, I had a lot of troubles with Rosa who was the former cook. She got jealous because my dishes tasted better than hers. So she started to spoil my food. I thank Saint Paschal Baylon for the masters noticed it and scolded her before committing an injustice to me. Finally, I was left in peace.

Filomena Salazar \ Zacatlan, Puebla

Nicolasa Ruiz offers this retablo to Saint Paschal Baylon because he always helps her in kitchen and makes her food delicious.

Puebla, 1923

There was a hole in the wall in our garden, and crocodiles from the river were getting through this hole. Some of them even came to the kitchen attracted by the tasty smells of my dishes. I didn’t like having crocodiles in the house, so I prayed the Virgin so my husband would fix the hole. He had been telling me for months he would do it but never did. I thank the Holy Virgin because my brother-in-law felt sorry for me and fixed the hole with stones and cement. Now we don’t have crocodiles anymore.

I love spicy food, but my Conchita was always overdoing it by putting too much chili in her dishes. I asked Saint Paschal for his divine help because I couldn’t take the food so spicy any longer. Now my wife knows the right amount of chili.

Casiano Hernandez
Puebla, Mexico

I bring the present retablo to Saint Pascual Baylon who helped me with my tortillas when my mother-in-law had to visit us. They came out well and didn’t burn. She loved my dishes, and I thank for that.

Gregoria Xicotencatl

Tlaxcala, Mexico

The sisters of the Divine Mercy Congregation thank Saint Paschal Baylon with this retablo for their good sales of mole and chiles en nogada. They were selling food to collect money for the reconstruction of the convent damaged by an earthquake.

Puebla de los Angeles, 1958

We were chatting and forgot that we left a pot with mole on the stove. We were cooking it to sale. Then we went to the market for turkey, and when we were back, we saw that the pan had been completely on fire and almost burnt our kitchen. My friend and I desperately prayed Saint Paschal for help and began to extinguish the fire with the pot with water. We managed to do so avoiding big fire, and we thank the saint.

Petra Cosme and Ramona Tlachi / Cuetzalan, 1949