They didn’t accept me in the village for being gay. So I decided to go to the city. But I had no money, and I didn’t know anyone there. I thank Saint Sebastian who send good people on my path. They give me food and shelter. Although I had to devote myself to prostitution for several years, thanks to that I managed to do surgery and also paid my studies. Now I lead a quiet life, I had a good job and enjoy my identity as a woman.

I’m infinitely thankful to Saint Sebastian and dedicate him this retablo for the miracle that Ray moved to live with me, and I’m on cloud nine with him. When he was thinking to go abroad, I though I’d never see him again. I implored you, because we love each other, and he decided to stay here. I will support him in everything because he understands me and I understand him. We are happy and live for each other.

Gladis
Mexico City, February 14, 1968

When I moved to my neighborhood, I was told that Trinidad is a shithole full of potheads. I was sad and afraid to go out for beer at night. Now my neighbors know me, they care about me and even call me “a blond girl”. They give me fruits, and the tortilla-maker lent me his blender when mine broke down. I thank the Virgin for these people, now I’m very happy and proud to be the girl from Trini.

It was very hard for me to live in the country because I felt that I was different but my family and friends didn’t understand me. I thank Saint Martha for giving me courage to go to the city and there I could develop my personality. Now I’m a successful stylist, and I’m proud of my sexual preferences.

Inocencio Pascual ~ Michoacan, Mexico

San Sebastian, I offer you this retablo, because Veronica moved to live with me. We will be thankful to you for our happiness, and now we can live without hiding our relationship.

Silvia

Lomas de Chapultepec, Mexico City

February 14, 1987

I was so devastated by my relationship with my family and friends, I moved to Guadalajara. Since I didn’t study, I couldn’t find a job. So I went to prostitute myself, and I like this job.

Tonala, Jalisco
Jose Pichardo, 1987

I had to move to live in Europe for many years because of work, and I couldn’t return to Mexico. I thank the Virgin of the Solitude with this retablo because thanks to the classic Mexican movies which I took with me I felt closer to my roots. Especially the movie “Maria Candelaria”. It was my grandparent’s favorite and I watched it with them when I was little.

Two handsome men moved in our building. But then we found out that they turn into horrible vampires at night and fly out of the window to sate their thirst with young girls. My boyfriend and I thank the Virgin of San Juan for we aren’t two juicy chicks.

Every time I had to sell my bread on the street, a very angry dog jumped on me. It barked and chased me for few blocks not letting me deliver the bread to my clients. With all my faith, I asked the Holy Child of Atocha for help, and few days later the owners of this dog changed the house and took the dog with them. Now I can work in peace.

Gelasio Duarte ~ Pachuca, Hidalgo

Thanks, Virgin, because after having walked till my friend’s feet bled he finally found a house near the central station where we two could live. In this way he saved me from the house of the narcos where I had lived for a year and he saved himself from the love he had lost in the house where he had lived with his dog before.

Thanks, Saint Sebastian, because Juan has moved to live with me.

Abel Tinoco

Some martians moved in the house near us. I was scared, but then, after knowing them better, I saw that they are very nice and generous persons. They get along very well with our family. I thank the Virgin of San Juan for such wonderful neighbors.

Eugenia Sandoval came home and found out that her roommate was a witch. She thanks Saint James with this retablo because she found another boarding house to move in.