I had a lot of suitors who ordered serenades for me. Roberto Rodriguez was a mariachi who always performed for me. More he sang more he fell in love with me. And so did I with him. We got married. When we came out of the church, we felt so happy, we started to run. The musicians tried to follow us, but they couldn’t play running. It was so funny. We thank the Blessed Sacrament for a happy wedding.

Some bastards came to sing serenade to my daughter when she was home alone. They wanted to seduce her, but thanks to the Virgin of San Juan’s intervention I came right in this moment and chased them away with bullets. Fortunately, I didn’t shoot anyone, only scared them. My daughter didn’t lose her honor, and I thanking for that with this retablo.

Mario Nuñez P.
Texcoco, Mexico, 1947

I was being told by my friends that I’d be an old maid forever because I’m so fat. It saddened me, so I prayed to Saint Antony for a lover who’d love me for who I am. He fulfilled my wish, and now my Pepe makes me happy. He asked me for marriage with a serenade, and I thank for that.

Felipa Treviño
Monterrey, 1958

I thank God and San Anthony of Padua for sending me a fiancé. I thought I would stay an old maid forever. And when I expected nothing to happen I heard a serenade. It was Pedro Lopez, a boyfriend that I had before and who came back from USA. We got married and now we are very happy.

Juanita Gomez
Colorado ranch, Jalisco, Mexico
27 May 1976

I sang serenades to my fiancée every week. But when I saw her brother Luis, I realized what my real sexual preferences were. Now it’s he whom I sing serenades to. I thank the Virgin of Zapopan because Luis reciprocates my feelings and his sister forgave us.

I was being told that because I’m so fat I’d be an old maid forever. It saddened me, so I prayed to Saint Antony for a lover who’d love me for who I am. He fulfilled my wish, and now my Pepe makes me happy. He asked me for marriage with a serenade, and all my friends were envy. They always criticized me, but it was me who got married first.

Hipolita Hernandez, Guadalajara