In times of the Revolution, there was a very tough battle in my village, and I became an orphan. One day I met the general Emiliano Zapata himself and humbly asked him for help. I thank the Virgin of San Juan for having sent him to me, because he took me with him and gave me many advices that made me into a hardworking, loyal and brave man.

Maclovio Lopez ~ Jonacatepec, Morelos

My little sister and I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of Sorrows. Although we remained orphans and spent bad days in a shelter in Toluca, we have been adopted by a very rich family from the capital. Here we are eating oranges and cookies with our parents and brother.

When we became orphans, I was an oldest child. So I started working, while my little brothers and sisters were studying. After many years of hardworking, I opened my own business. It turned out to be very prominent and successful. Now my brothers and sisters have started working, and I can afford to enjoy a careless and luxurious life. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for that.

Oh God, may you be blessed, because I finally met the love of my life at that corner. I don’t care what has happened with her before. I fell in love at first sight. I proposed her, and she accepted me — after so many years of loneliness. I am an orphan, I have no brothers, no sisters, not even a dog—I’ve been all alone. She will fill my life with love and caress.

Juventino Rocha
Mexico City — February 14, 1990

The nuns, sister Andrea and sister Lucia, gives thanks with this retablo to Saint Martin for good sales of rompope. They help to orphans with the proceeds.