René stood in front of the altar. Behind it was the massive cross on which a brown-skinned Christ turned his heavily accentuated eyes to heaven. Underneath the cross stood the black-haired Virgin Mother on her canopy. She wore a crown and a white lace cloak decorated with gold brocade. The Virgin had downcast eyes, which gave her a bitter expression. Morning light entered through the stained glass windows depicting the twelve disciples. Their colors were pale.
René addressed the crucifix: “Thank you for proving once again that misfortune is a must for the poor, undoubtedly to promote their spiritual development,” he said in a muted voice. The damp chill in the church was far from optimal for the wounded behind the altar. A few hours after the emergency services had left Canela, the proces
