It happened once, when the night was falling, an UFO landed right in front of don Juan Sanchez’ house. Two strange beings came out to take the cat, but the owner gave a tremendous blow to one of them. The second one saw his associate injured and wanted to grab the cat but don Juan didn’t let him. Then both of them ran to their flying ship. Thank you, Virgin, for such a great result.

Ranch Los Pirules, Guanajuato

Gabino Tinoco was suffering very much by seeing beatings his daughter-in-law was giving to his son. He implored Saint Jude to change his son’s life promising a retablo. As it has happened, he fulfils his promise.

Toluca, 1934

Holy Child of Atocha, thanks for your favors. It happened so that my friend and I went for bread, and a man jumped out before us and opened his coat showing us his parts. We told about this to our friends. The next night, we ran into this degenerate again. But our friends were hiding. They jumped out and gave him a beating so he didn’t show up anymore in our neighborhood. I thank the Holy Child for the exhibitionist didn’t come back.

Lidia Gomez, 1968

Ernesto Telles was caught by the police, and they tortured him thinking he was a criminal. He fervently thanks Saint Pancras, with this retablo, because he endured it and didn’t make a false confession.

Pedro, with few tequilas in his head, stabbed his buddy because of a calumny, as he was told that his buddy was having love affairs with his wife. When he found out the truth, he repented and implored the Virgin of Guadalupe to save his buddy’s from dying promising to offer a retablo. Now I keep my promise because he forgave me and we are friends again. We give thanks.

Tacubaya, Mexico, October 2, 1963

When I left my work, I was attacked by some slackers. I got scared and implored the Virgin of Guadalupe, and I was saved by a mister who heard my screams. I was delivered from being raped.

Virginia Moralez
Bellavista, Mexico City, November 1998

Refugio Amezcua found himself in a serious danger when Evaristo Aguilar dragged him because of the borderland argument. He entrusted himself to Saint Christopher, and the rope broke, and he got free and safe. He brings this small retablo giving thanks.

Chanenetla, 1925

I give thanks to John Lennon for saving my life that time when we were hanging out with guys and some pricks came down on us and beat the shit out of us. They were nine, and we were only three. The beating was so bad, I had to look for an ambulance. I thought I was going to die. They put tubes and needles in me, and everything around me became like in a blue fog. Then the rocker appeared by the ambulance door. He looked at me with his hippy face and round glasses. Although the ambulance was rushing down the street with siren and everything, I didn’t feel pain or anything bad, I felt so much calm and hope looking at him. Suddenly I woke up on a stretcher all crazy but more alive than ever. In fact I even tried to escape with old Sobal but couldn’t because I was still very bad.

Thanks, John Lennon from Concepcion, for everything I lived through, protect all who know you and is devoted to your sublime legacy.

Talcahuano, Concepcion, 2007
Esteban Hache

I came to my hut slightly drunk, and my mother-in-law met me with a beating. She left me quite trashed. I fervently thank Saint Raymond, with this retablo, for that damn crone didn’t send me to the cemetery.

Puebla, 1908

Michael the Archangel, I thank you because my suitors didn’t kill each other when they met in my house.

Lupita, Oaxaca, Mexico, 1962

I thank the Holy Virgin of the Solitude for the miracle of keeping Eusebio Garcia away from liquor. He wallowed completely in alcohol and made me suffer from beating and bad treatment, and he even took money for laundry, and I had to come for him to the pulqueria-bar.

Ramona Suarez

Saint Sebastian, I thank you because I’m alright now after that tremendous beating a client gave me when he realized that I’m not a woman. He dragged me naked out of the hotel and whacked me. In that mortal danger, I implored you begging to save my life.

Armando “La Paola”
Tlalpan, Mexico City, May 12, 2000

Young Anselmo Aguilar was tired of his teacher constantly flunking him in physics for no reason. One day he got so angry, he threw the teacher down the stairs of the school. He gives thanks to Saint Francis of Paula for he was only kicked out of school and did not go to jail. He also did community service and paid medical expenses.