I prayed to the Virgin of Guadalupe so much for saving me from these terrible nightmares. I was suffering from a repeated dream about being brutally raped by devils. The Virgin heard my prayers and now I sleep calmly and peacefully. I dedicate this retablo in order to thank the Virgin.

San Antonio Aguas Calientes, 1959

I thank Jesus Valverde for saving me from dying. When we arrived to California (USA), my guide got mad because of being heavily drugged. I entrusted my life to him [Jesus] and could escape. In this retablo, I show this miracle.

Jose P.
Navolato, Sinaloa, 1990

Two bandits got in the Chong Nakamura’s house while he was at home. But Chong could resist the assault with his samurai sword. He thanks Saint James with this retablo for he didn’t get arrested in spite of injuring those bandits very badly.

I was coming back from the market when a man in a black hat attacked me with an onion peeling knife. But then suddenly two dogs—not too big, but very brave indeed—jumped on him, because they don’t like people in hats. I was saved, and I thank the Holy Virgin for that.

Maria Lopez

I thank you, Virgin of San Juan, for all your favors. I decided to leave my husband after he had put horns on me. I kicked him out, but the next day he came back to kill me. Gaston, my husband, shot me. My wound was serious, but I prayed to the Virgin of San Juan fro my life. And she saved me.

Monterrey, 1952

I thank the Virgin of San Juan for the miraculous delivery from the danger of being killed by a horrible man.

Angela Gonzalez
Aguascalientes

1925, in San Bernardino, my buddy caught me on the mat with his wife. He started to shoot at us. I give infinite thanks to Saint Elias for no bullet hit me. She took them all.

Juan Zavaleta had a fight with a colleague, and that plunged a trident into Juan’s belly. The injuries were very bad. Juan thanks Saint James for he was saved and his co-worker is in jail now.

Thank you, Saint Jude, for you favors. I went to study in the Monterrey University. I found an apartment. I had been living there for four months, when one day I was going out of the bathroom and saw the landlady’s son in my room. I was surprised and asked what he wanted and how did he get into my room. He told me he wanted to have sex with me. “Are you crazy?” I asked. Then he grabbed me and tried to throw me on the bed. He didn’t count that I’m doing karate. So I hit him so hard, so that he wouldn’t think to talk with me again.

Laura Garza, 1964

Jasinto Ramirez thanks Saint Paschal for giving him courage to beat up his old lady who was bitching too much.

Puebla, 1910

Humberto Medina was caught by police. They tortured him with a bucket of urine. He thanks Saint Pancras with this retablo for he endured it all and didn’t say anything, because he was innocent.

I thank Saint Sebastian because I arrived in time before my naughty boyfriend went to steam with some filthy swine. I whipped him with belt, and now he loves me more than ever and he’s very faithful.

Panchito Perez Cruz
Mexico City, 1987

Sara Gonzalez gossiped a lot. And one day her neighbor smeared the Sara’s face with shit. That gave her an eye infection. She thanks Saint Raymond for her recovery and promises to reform.