A colossal altar constructed entirely from maize, recalling the Jesuit-Guarani reredos in its design, was illuminated by hundreds of candiles (candles made from hollowed out bitter oranges filled with fat), displaying the historic statue of the Virgin Mary in the central upper alcove. Once night fell, it was reflected in the lake before it, which in turn was strewn with floating candles.
A procession of men and women with lanterns, accompanied by estacioneros singing Guarani dirges, marched to the foot of the cross, constructed on the top of a scaffold, and ritually took down the body of Christ and placed it in the 'tomb'.
All in all, it was breathtakingly beautiful. The assembled crowds were silenced.
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