Rafael reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out one of the candles we’d purchased at a tienda on the way into town. With Catholicism banned in Aztlan, we figured we’d have to bring our own votive candles to the church. I just hoped the Virgin wouldn’t take offense at a birthday candle shaped like the number one. Rafael picked up the most intact glass cup from the floor and melted the base of the candle onto it. Then he set the candle on the wrought-iron frame in front of the statue and lit it. "Might as well," he said. "Maybe we’ll luck out and the priest will come by tonight."