Señor Jasinto Ramirez brings the present retablo, with great devotion, to Saint Augustine because he managed to gather a vey vast collection of tin soldiers of different armies.

Señor Gumaro doesn’t want to grow up. Help me, Virgin.

1975, Rosita

With this retablo, the boy Pedrito Robledo is infinitely thankful to the Holy Child of Atocha because his parent finally bought him a toy train which he has so much fun with.

I’m a carpenter and make traditional wooden toys for many years now. I wholeheartedly dedicate the present exvoto to the Holy Child of Atocha thanking him for these toys aren’t forgotten, and I also ask that, in spite of the modern and technological toys, the parents of this generation would buy my toys because they encourage creativity and imagination.

Mexico

The boy Timoteo Gomez didn’t want to harm his little brother but knock out his two teeth with his yo-yo. He thanks the Holy Child of Atocha because their parents didn’t spank him till death and his brother feels better now.

Jose Luis Gutierrez brings this retablo to the Virgin of San Juan thanking her because he found an old cup-and-ball toy which his grandfather gave him and which he thought was lost.

My father was a craftsman who dedicated himself to making puppets. When I was a little boy, I loved them very much and played with them. I dedicate this humble retablo to Saint Jude Thaddeus thanking him because I inherited the secret of making these puppets and I’m going to pass it to my children.

Puebla, Mexico

My sister Catalina fell off the stairs because our little brothers left their marbles there and she step on them and fell down hitting her head. We thank the Virgin of Guadalupe because my sister’s afro haircut helped her and softened the blow. She was stunned for a while but recovered.

I used to read fairy tales to my son since he was very little. Now when he plays he imagines himself as a prince rescuing princesses from the claws of a terrible dragon. He’s riding his faithful white horse, and they go for strange lands in search of astonishing adventures. I thank the Virgin for blessing my son with this great imagination and fantasy.

Teofila Mendes thanks the Holy Child of Atocha because the artist Frida gave her a doll for her daughter on the Three Kings’ Day.

Mexico, 1939

I thank the Holy Child of Luck for saving my son Luis from dying when he choked with marbles. I bring this retablo for that.

May 21, 1965
Mexico City

10-years old Ricardo Ramos was playing and went in the woods too far from Sanchez Magallanes. There he saw a flying saucer. The UFO was flying over him and then landed. Ricardo saw a girl inside the ship. She showed him her strange toys. They were all different sizes. After having played for a while they said good bye to each other and were ready to go home. The girl gave a small box to Ricardo as a goodbye gift. The box performed different miracles. Now Ricardo has grown up, and he dedicates this retablo to Saint Michael the Archangel.

Tabasco, 1912

I was going down the stairs from the roof carrying the washing and stumbled on my son’s toys. I was worried that something bad would happen with my baby and ask the Holy Virgins for protection. And my baby was born healthy.

Guadalupe Silva
Mexico City, July 18, 2000