I didn’t expect to inherit corn fields after one of my distant uncle’s death. But my mother gave me an idea to sell sweet corn on the streets. I thank the Virgin of Juquila because the sales are going well and I’m much better as a vendor than as a farmer.

Felipe Carrion
Iztapalapa, Mexico City

Socorro Aguilar dedicates this humble retablo to Saint Isidor Labourer because she’s doing well selling her flowers to the tourists who pass in Xochimilco by trajineras boats. She makes their day with beauty and colors.

Xochimilco, Mexico

Marcela Ramos and her friend Graciela were vending near the church. Marcela was selling fruits and punch, and Graciela was selling quesadillas. One day they didn’t sale a lot so they decided to keep working till late. It could happened—they thought—a hungry man would pass and would buy something. Some time later, they noticed a cheerful company approaching them. They were singing and laughing. But the they came closer, they resulted to be skeletons escaped from the cemetery. Graciela ran away, and Maricela decided to stay and to see if the skeletons would pay for what they were eating. They paid with old gold coins. They even paid for Graciela’s quesadillas. Maricela thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe for giving her courage to stay and to not run away from skeletons. Thanks to that she had a good profit that night.

I was selling cold beer at the wrestling arena. I was distracted and didn’t noticed that the wrestler Superpig jumped off the third rope on his opponents but almost fell on me instead. I thank Saint Charbel because I stepped away in time. Otherwise he would’ve squashed me and my bucket of beer.

Panfilo Garza

Monterrey, 1982

The tortilla vendor Teofila Tecuapetla couldn’t get pregnant in spite of trying hard. She prayed Saint Paschal Baylon and now thank him because she got pregnant and gave birth to twins.

Cholula, 1934

I dedicate the present ex-voto as gratitude to Saint Jude Thaddeus for the miracle that I bought a new oven on wheels to grill sweet potatoes. The old one was stolen from me, and I couldn’t work. Now my sweet potatoes sells are good again. May you be blessed.

Apolonio Tlanipa
Puebla

I bring this retablo to Saint Peter thanking him for my job. I sell coconut oil to the tourists on the beach. In addition to earning my money, I also enjoy applying the oil to the backs and legs of the beautiful foreign women.

Filomeno Hernández
Acapulco, Guerrero

Dionisio Cuautle dedicates this humble retablo to Saint Martin the Cavalryman who is helping him every day when he sells the birds at the town market. In this was he keeps supporting his family.

Tlatlauquitepec, Puebla

I’m infinitely grateful to the Virgin of Guadalupe for protecting me every time I’m going out of my village to sell birds. In this way I support my family. I dedicate this retablo for that.

Ausencio Zarate
Atlixco, Puebla

Ana Maria Rosete became a widow and decided to sell piñatas. The things went very well. She thanks the Virgin of Juquila for her help with this retablo.

I was desperate when I was fired. I didn’t know how to support my family. Then I had an idea to sell tacos at night. I asked the Virgin of Juquila for help, and thanks to her divine assistance the things are going very well. My tacos are the best in the neighborhood.

Magdaleno Romero
Mexico City

I thank Saint Martin the Cavalryman for helping me with so many customers who come to buy my tamales. I had no job and then I suddenly found my mother’s recipe of tamales with mole, rajas and sweet green sauce. The people love it very much.

Cresencio Dominguez
Zacatlan, Puebla

My family was going through financial difficulties. I wanted to help them within my abilities. I took all the flowers I was growing back in the garden and went to sell them in the Xochimilco dock. My flowers were so beautiful, I sold them in a moment. And the people wanted to buy more. So I opened a small flower shop. Now I give job for other families who help me. I’m very glad to work with such a beauty and earn money in this way. I thank the Virgin of Guadalupe for my luck.

Francisca Hernandez