I was cutting beefsteaks for doña Mari and I cut my wrist. I though I’d gonna lose my hand. I entrusted myself to you, my mother Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, asking to not let me lose my hand. Now I’m thanking you because it’s been healed.

Joel Rodriguez
Mexico City — May 15, 1998

I offer this retablo to Saint Jude because he saved my father’s hand which he cut when while chopping the meat he turned to look at the legs of a girl. The hand wouldn’t heal. So I prayed you, and it healed.

His son Tono
Tacubaya, Mexico City
October 12, 2005

18-years old Cesare di Michele Tocchini, chased by his brother with the knife in his hand, was overtook by his sister-in-law, that brother’s wife. She held the poor young man by hair, then she grabbed the breadknife from the counter and began to stab him pitilessly—like a barbarian. Cesare fell on the ground. The people ran up there and took the knife from the cruel woman. The young man severely wounded was taken to the hospital where he was recovering for the next 45 days thanks to the Virgin of Montenero’s protection. It happened on the Ciglio street, August 1, 1840.

July 30, 1958, the devil got inside my body, and I was going to kill my husband with the kitchen knife. But the Virgin of Zapopan held my arm from doing such a thing. I give thanks.

Antonio Mendoza was walking and selling sweets in order to cover his family’s expenses. One day a furious mad woman answered the door and started to chase him with a knife. He thanks the Virgin of Zapopan because she was just about a few inches from him trying to kill him. He was able to escape from that madwoman, with great difficulty, and to save his own life.

Virgin of Guadalupe, thank you for giving me plenty of work as a whore. You also protect me from dangers on the streets. Like when that robber tried to steal my earnings.

Rubi, 1989
Oaxaca, Mexico

I came back from my aunt earlier than I had thought and I caught my husband in our bed hugging this shameless dressmaker Rosa. I wanted to kill them with the kitchen knife, but the Virgin of San Juan retained my hand. I thank the Virgin because I didn’t commit a murder. But I took the broom and gave the bastards a good trashing though.

I work as a prostitute. When I refused to go with one drunk guy he beat me. I thought I was going to die. I entrusted myself to the Virgin of San Juan, asking to save my life. Now I give thanks for that.

Lupe, “Bootyfull”
Merced, Mexico City
February 10, 1999

Sign on the pharmacy: “For those who prefer big condoms, 2×1”

My friend and I thank the Virgin of Carmen for saving us from my wife who wanted to kill us only because she caught us in the bed.

Luisa and Antonio
Oaxaca, 1976

Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, I thank you for saving my life when a maniac took me in a hotel. I didn’t know his real intentions. When I refused to do what he wanted, he beat me up. He left me thinking I was dead. I managed to escape to heal my injuries. Protect me in this life of prostitute.

Mexico City, 1970

The Ruiz brothers, Juan and Gustavo, worked as butchers and liked to flirt with the female clients. One day they liked the same girl and they fought with knives over her. They thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for they didn’t kill one another and promise to go in therapy.

Señor Nicolas gives thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe for not losing the fingers on his left arm when he cut himself working in his butcher-shop. In gratitude he brings this retablo.

January 11, 1990

San Cristóbal de las Casas
January 27, 2014

When I found out that Juansito cheated on me with this snake Mariela, I waited him at the kitchen. When he came back home from work, I killed him with the bread knife. Then I was going to thrust that knife into my heart but I fell and hit my head. I fainted. With this colorful picture I thank Saint Honoratus for the miracle that today, on the day of my 35th birthday, I’m going to be happy and in good health again.