When a demon’s face came out of the wall I felt uncomfortable. I thought it appeared because I had been flirting with a pharmacist behind my husband’s back. I prayed the Virgin of Guadalupe to forgive me after such a terrible punishment. Thanks to the Virgin this giant demon doesn’t appear anymore.

The humble secretary Berenice Saenz needed money. So she decided to earn it with her body. She found her clients right at her workplace. So she managed to pay for her two sons’ studies—they even graduated and became professionals. She bought a house and opened a pharmacy. With this retablo, Berenice thanks the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception for protecting her all that time.

Veracruz, 1970

When I became a widow, I decided to get retired. I devoted myself to embroider and to care about my dogs. But one day the devil appeared and whispered in my ear some sinful ideas. Then I started to look with lust at the pharmacist Manuel and even on our priest. When I realized my distress, I prayed to the Virgin of Zapopan. Thanks to her inspiration I accepted the doctor Vazquez’ marriage proposal. Now I think only about him. And I thank the Holy Virgin for saving me from the devil.

I was in my drugstore when the Zapatistas arrived and took my wife and my mother-in-law. I thank the Holy Child of Atocha for they didn’t see me.

Santa Ana Chiautempan, 1914

My wife heard the rumor that I flirted with the drugstore employee. My wife got furious from the jealousy and tried to kick me out. Only thanks tho the Holy Virgin of Zapopan I managed to calm her and convinced her that it was only a slander from some gossipy old woman.