I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin Mary because I found a contact in the black market so I can exchange at a pretty good rate all the Jamaican dollars I had into sterling pounds, a much stronger and safer currency.

We had serious financial difficulties. We had no money to feed the family, let alone the animals. So they had to provide for themselves. They looked at me with their hungry eyes, and I felt terribly sorry. I thank Saint Francis because bad times have passed. Now we have enough money and I give the animals double portions in order to make up for their sufferings.

The Saint Christ of Burgo de Osma helped us to find money to buy paint for the church fence.

As testimony of my eternal gratitude I thank Saint Michael the Archangel with the present retablo for keeping my rooster Valiente (Valiant) in good health. He made me win a lot of money fighting in the cockpits. And I have a special feeling for him since it was my father’s gift to me.

Venustiano Jimenez
Aguascalientes, Mexico

Marta and Cleotilde Marquez thank the Virgin of Zapopan for the things in their pit and jug shop are going well and they are even saving money for the Marta’s daughter’s wedding. They offer this retablo to the Holy Virgin.

Enrique Perez didn’t pay his gambling debt in time. The collectors came to him and severely broke his knee. He thank the Virgin of San Juan for his recovery, and he borrowed money to pay out.

Laura and Catalina Peña were in a bad financial position. But since they were good pastry cooks, they had an idea of selling cakes. They thank Saint Paschal Baylon, a patron saint of cooks, because now they make enough money to support themselves and even to save something for hard times and also for having fun sometimes.

Señorita R. found a job as an art model for one artist. Thanks to these earnings she managed to get back to her studies again. She brings this retablo to Saint Raymond thanking him for granting her this favor.

The baker apprentice Rodrigo Fernandez burnt hundred breads because he was in love. He thanks the Lord of Chalma for he wasn’t fired and only have some money deducted from his salary.

One morning I went fishing in my small boat. Suddenly I hooked an enormous sailfish. I give thanks to Saint Peter because after many hours of efforts I finally managed to catch it. I sold it and earned a lot of money.

Teodoro Muñoz
Manzanillo, Coahuila

Alfonso Fernandez was caught at his home by the police for producing counterfeit money. He thanks the Virgin of San Juan for having a great lawyer so he didn’t get many years in jail. He promises to put himself on a righteous way.

Lourdes Suarez thanks Saint Francis of Assisi with this retablo for her pig give birth to four piglets. She’ll sell them with a good price.

Rogelio Narvaez worked at a musical instruments store. He thanks Saint Martin the Cavalryman for he sold three grand pianos in one day and got a very nice commission for it.