I’m infinitely thankful to Saint Anthony of Padua, with the present retablo, for bringing back my Ponciano alive. He was gone with general Zapata’s troops to fight and I was afraid I’d never see him again. But now we are together and happy with our six kids.

Clementina Cruz ~ Chilpancingo, Guerrero

The nations of the world couldn’t reach an agreement in anything and they were threatening to go to war. All the peoples in the world were praying to their gods to guide them to the path of peace and to put down their arms, but it didn’t happen. And they launched nuclear bombs, and there was the end of the world. In testimony of such absence, I dedicate this retablo.

Andres Balabaquer, April 8, 2030

The federals caught me and they were going to shoot me for being a rebel. I implored the Lord of Chalma for my life, and that moment general Pancho Villa came into the town with his troops. They made the federals run away and saved my life. So I decided to join them, for which I dedicate this retablo.

Herminio N. ~ Saltillo, Coahuila

We dedicate this small retablo to Saint Jude Thaddeus, with eternal gratitude, for working the miracle of saving our brother Tomas from the bullet that the army shot in his leg, and we were able to get back to our families.

Lucas and Pascual Cruz
Durango, Mexico

Holy Virgin, many thanks for saving my life when I was wounded in a battle.

Mario Sanchez
Vietnam, 11–Nov.–69

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, although we were soldiers, we were also guadalupans, Mexicans so we entrusted ourselves to you. We fought revolutionaries but we only followed the orders. The 32 battalion from Zacatecas offers you this retablo for helping us when we were surrounded. Although we were outnumbered but you gave us aiming accuracy so the rebels retreated to the mountains. I, Casildo Perez, testify to this.

Zacatecas, October 24, 1914

In times of the Revolution, there was a very tough battle in my village, and I became an orphan. One day I met the general Emiliano Zapata himself and humbly asked him for help. I thank the Virgin of San Juan for having sent him to me, because he took me with him and gave me many advices that made me into a hardworking, loyal and brave man.

Maclovio Lopez ~ Jonacatepec, Morelos

Enedina Abascal dedicates the present retablo to Saint Anthony of Padua thanking him because she met Ponciano, the love of her life. She was a soldier, and they fought together at the times of the Revolution. When the fight was over, they could get married and were very happy.

Torreon, Coahuila

In times of the Revolution I was part of the Federal Army but my troops lost a battle, I was badly wounded and was on the edge of dying. I dedicate this retablo to the Virgin of Guadalupe because two peasants took me to their home. The cured me and saved my life. In gratitude I decide to fight for the people since that moment and joined the rebels.

Agustin Castillo \ Zacatecas, Mexico

Saint Charbel, thank you. There were five of us hiding in a trench. When we saw the Dorados of Villa coming we went out screaming that we gave up. Right away I got a bullet in my chest and fell down. I survived by a miracle. I was lucky that the bullet came through and didn’t touch my heart. My four comrades, however, were killed. I thank Saint Charbel with this retablo for getting alive.

Elpidio Barrios
Torreon

I dedicate this humble retablo to Our Lady of Guadalupe in honor of the female soldiers and their admirable bravery shown on the battlefield of Mexican revolution. These women, also known as adelitas, played a fundamental role in defending our homeland by fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with men.

Mexico

I thank the Holy Lord of Chalma for giving me his protection while I was a member of the Golden Ones of my general Pancho Villa. With them, I faced many tough battles against the government of the usurper Victoriano Huerta. May you be blessed.

Filemon Salas ~ Chihuahua, Mexico

Jesus Christ, thank you for your favors. I thank because my grandson returned alive from the war in Vietnam. I also thank for my grandson came to visit me in Mexico. It might be a last time I see him because I feel very tired and my health is bad.

Margarita Galindo
Mexico City, 1976