I had an affair with my secretary but one day I was unlucky to have my own daughter discover us by surprise in my office. I give thanks to Saint Jerome because I was able to convince my daughter to keep quiet in exchange for expensive gifts. So her mother won’t find out about my deceit and I can sleep in peace.

Ricardo del Castillo \ Nuevo León, Mexico

Maria offers this retablo to the Virgin of the Solitude because Felipe asked my hand in marriage. My father wanted me to marry don ***, the storekeeper. I prayed to you because I was in love with Felipe, and now we are together.

Celaya, Guanajuato, May 1929

May you be blessed Virgin of Guadalupe for the miracle that Luis moved to live with me. We love each other, although his family doesn’t accept our relationship. But we aren’t afraid to be who we are.

Acapulco, Luis & Jilberto, February 14, 1985

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

I bring this retablo as testimony of gratitude to Saint Anthony of Padua who made so that Lolita became my fiancée. I was afraid she’d reject me since I wasn’t of equal position with her. But I loved her so much. Now we’re happy together, and her family is happy as well.

Benito Cruz — Guanajuato, 1946

The neighbors’ son was a shameless scoundrel. He was making out with my daughter Adriana at the dark corners. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan for this boy was sent to study to Monterrey.

Francisca Lopez

My sister and I went to the capital to study in the university but we needed money to cover our expenses. We took advantage of our beauty and started working as dancers in a night club where the pay is very good. We thank Saint Bruno for our parents don’t know about it because they would get angry and make us return to the village.

Josefina and Raquel S. ~ Guadalajara, Jalisco

Since I married my Elenita, her nosy mother came to live with us because she couldn’t live without her daughter. Our marriage was a hell because that lady always gave her opinion on everything and wanted the things done her way. We couldn’t even have intimacy. I’m thanking Saint Raymond with the present retablo because my wife finally realized that the marriage is for two only and asked her mother to move out. That day we had a party.

Ivan Perez \ Torreon, Coahuila

Since I lost my job and we didn’t have enough money to pay our rent, my wife and I had to move with her mother. My mother-in-law was a dressmaker, and she didn’t like that I stayed in her house doing nothing. So she asked me to be her model. I thank Saint Sebastian for my friends and relatives never found out that I was trying on dresses, so I kept it in secret.

Guillermo R. \ Merida, Yucatan

My father didn’t like that I had a boyfriend, so Alejandro and I had to meet secretly. One night we were at the cemetery where no one could see us. We were sitting on a grave and talking when we heard a music. We saw the dead leaving their graves and having a party. They played instruments and danced. We were very much frightened. We thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for we could escape and the skeletons didn’t see us.

Since I have a good body, a friend of mine invited me to work at his club as a stripper. I accepted the offer because I’d earn very good money this way. One night I was frightened to see one of my aunts in the first row. My family didn’t know what I was doing. I thank Saint Michael the Archangel because my aunt agreed to keep my secret and I promised not to tell about the places she loves to visit.

Ricardo M. ~ Guadalajara, Jalisco

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

I dedicate this retablo to my mother thanking her for giving me life and blessing me. My life has been always filled with Faith, Hope and Love. And there, in heaven, where she’s resting now, she won’t leave me alone in my mission because the art is the real miracle. I also dedicate this retablo to my wife for her love and constant support; to my children for their loving friendship and honesty; to the society and people who enjoy my work and let me tell about stories, facts, visions and imaginations from my beloved Mexico.

From Mexico to the world.