When I was returning after a concert, I ran into some bastards who tried to mug me. But they got nothing from me. Then one of them pulled out a gun and put it to my head. I grabbed him and took the gun, but the other one stabbed me. I fell feeling pretty bad. Those two were definitely high. Then the first guy picked up the gun and was going to finish me. That moment, I prayed the Archangel of Justice. Suddenly my pal appeared, and those two ran away, without killing me. Good thing you stopped them in time, pal.

Tepito, Mexico City

Thank God and Virgin of the Rosary of Talpa because thanks to the prompt surgery my son Agustin was healed after being stabbed in the back.

J. Jesus Padilla
Autlan, Jalisco
March 1, 1962

I thank Saint Quiteria of Frexeiras for saving my son after he was stabbed in heart. He’s recovered now.

Maria Aparecida de Goes
Exu, Pernambuco

Virgin of San Juan, thank for your favors. A cockfight was going on, and it seemed that my cock was going to win. I cheered him but then suddenly the other cock owner stab me in my eye. My eye fell off and I almost lost it. I thank the Virgin for enlightening the surgeon who worked on me.

Ambrosio Ibarra
Leon, Guanajuato, 1961

18-years old Cesare di Michele Tocchini, chased by his brother with the knife in his hand, was overtook by his sister-in-law, that brother’s wife. She held the poor young man by hair, then she grabbed the breadknife from the counter and began to stab him pitilessly—like a barbarian. Cesare fell on the ground. The people ran up there and took the knife from the cruel woman. The young man severely wounded was taken to the hospital where he was recovering for the next 45 days thanks to the Virgin of Montenero’s protection. It happened on the Ciglio street, August 1, 1840.

I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe and the Lord of Chalma because I survived after being stubbed by my buddy who thought that I was flirting with his girlfriend.

Luis Manuel Plata
Mexico City — December 12, 1997

I work as a prostitute. When I refused to go with one drunk guy he beat me. I thought I was going to die. I entrusted myself to the Virgin of San Juan, asking to save my life. Now I give thanks for that.

Lupe, “Bootyfull”
Merced, Mexico City
February 10, 1999

Sign on the pharmacy: “For those who prefer big condoms, 2×1”

Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, I thank you for saving my life when a maniac took me in a hotel. I didn’t know his real intentions. When I refused to do what he wanted, he beat me up. He left me thinking I was dead. I managed to escape to heal my injuries. Protect me in this life of prostitute.

Mexico City, 1970

The Ruiz brothers, Juan and Gustavo, worked as butchers and liked to flirt with the female clients. One day they liked the same girl and they fought with knives over her. They thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for they didn’t kill one another and promise to go in therapy.

San Cristóbal de las Casas
January 27, 2014

When I found out that Juansito cheated on me with this snake Mariela, I waited him at the kitchen. When he came back home from work, I killed him with the bread knife. Then I was going to thrust that knife into my heart but I fell and hit my head. I fainted. With this colorful picture I thank Saint Honoratus for the miracle that today, on the day of my 35th birthday, I’m going to be happy and in good health again.

Holy Child of Atocha, may you be blessed for saving Vicente’s life when his cousin Carmelo stabbed him. Carmelo was furious and wanted to kill Vicente after he had found out that I was in love with him. I asked for his recovery.

Juana Torres. 1969

I was in a rage after I had heard that Maria had neglected me and had decided to marry my best friend Artemio. The goddamn Devil climbed up on me and I stabbed Artemio. But when I saw death coming after him and when I realized that all this was only an infamous slender I prayed to God for saving Artemio’s life. In repentance I ask God for forgiveness and I offer this retablo for saving Artemio from death.

Elijio
Xochimilco, Mexico, 1950