We wholeheartedly ask the Holy Child of Atocha, with this humble retablo, to end this pandemic, because we weren’t able to celebrate the Christmas holidays as we traditionally do because of COVID-19. We beg to be able to celebrate them the next year with all our relatives and friends.

The Lopez family, 2020

I dedicate this humble retablo to Saint Jude Thaddeus, with deep gratitude, for having a gift of making traditional masks. Since I opened my shop 15 years ago, my masks have become very valuable for the carnivals in the region, and even people from other cities of the country started buying them.

Tlaxcala, Mexico

I dedicate the present retablo to Saint Paschal Baylon thanking him because my grandmother Petra instilled me love for the kitchen since childhood. She was a great cook, and I inherited this from her. I discovered my vocation, and I’m a professional chef now. I proudly bring the taste of the traditional Mexican cuisine to the entire world.

Catalina Muñoz / Oaxaca, Mexico

Every November 2, I go to the cemetery to visit my dead father and to bring him flowers and candles. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe with this retablo for, despite the modern age and the passage of time, this beautiful tradition didn’t go away. We remember our dear ones who are not with us physically anymore, and it gives us hope to see them again one day.

San Andres Mixquic, Mexico

I dedicate this humble retablo to Saint Jude Thaddeus thanking him for having a job as a piñata maker. In spite of living in modern age and passing of time, this beautiful tradition of piñatas goes on and I can keep on making them as my father and grafter taught me.

Fidencio Salazar ~ Aguascalientes, Mexico

I wholeheartedly thank the Holy Child of Atocha because last year I joined the dance group Los Chinelos. I always enjoyed going out on the streets with my family and watch them, but then a friend of mine who was in the group invited me to dance with them. I gladly agreed because it’s such a colorful and fun tradition.

Raul Nava / Tepoztlan, Morelos

With this humble retablo, I thank Saint Jude Thaddeus because I was able to pass on this beautiful tradition of being a flyer to my son Venustiano. It was my honor to perform this beautiful dance since my young years. Now it’s he who is in charge of keeping our family tradition.

Isidoro Rosas ~ Papantla, Veracruz

The huehue dance group from Xanaca neighborhood dedicate the present retablo to Saint Rita of Cascia with deep gratitude for granting them health to be able to participate in the Carnival celibrations the last year when they performed the traditional huehue dance for joy of children and adults.

Puebla

I dedicate the present retablo to Saint Rita, with deep gratitude, for granting me a miracle of being selected to the National Folk Ballet. I’m very glad to perform my country’s traditional dances.

Alma Ruiz, Mexico City

Señora Josefina thanks Saint Charbel wit this exvoto for the 30th anniversary of her professional performing the traditional dance Jarana Yucateca, along with the folklore dance group that she founded and which three her sons participate in. They make her very proud because they inherited her passion for dance.

Yucatan, Mexico

I love Mexican culture, especially their regional dances. I always had a dream to travel to Mexico to see them. I thank Saint Charbel becasue I visited the state of Chiapas and saw the traditional Parachicos dance that blew me away with its colors and beauty.

John Richardson

I’m infinitely thankful to Saint Martin the Cavalryman for having a noble profession of making Talavera pottery. It’s greatly appreciated by visitors and foreigner tourists, and I’m very happy that I’ll leave this job to my son Ruperto as my inheritance.

Eleuteria Ortiz, Puebla

Every November 2, I go to the cemetery to visit my dead father and to bring him flowers and candles. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe with this retablo for, despite the modern age and the passage of time, this beautiful tradition didn’t go away. We remember our dear ones who are not with us physically anymore, and it gives us hope to see them again one day.

San Andres Mixquic, Mexico