"A day they say is holy to one of the ancient gods," she answered. "It used to be a celebration sacred to Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, but we’re not allowed to celebrate Christian holidays any more. So we hide our observances behind a fiesta dedicated to the heathen gods, instead. There will be a service in the teocalli later. I avoid the rituals whenever possible, even though we are forced by law to attend. But a number of people really do believe in these false gods and worship them willingly."