Auspice Maria!
- For his journey to Colorado, Father Vaillant has to have a special kind of wagon constructed just for him. It must be long enough to carry all his stuff, but thin enough to travel on the narrow mountain paths of the Rockies.
- Before leaving, Father Vaillant sits down with Father Latour one last time and says that it is a miracle that God chose to bring the two of them together. Father Latour agrees that they've accomplished a lot as friends, but he doesn't use the word "miracle" lightly. He thinks that it is just good fortune.
- Once his wagon is loaded, Father Vaillant writes some letters for his family in France. Then he sets off to save souls in the Rockies.
- Before Vaillant leaves, Latour asks him to take his (Latour's) mule along with him. It seems that Latour and Vaillant's mules have always worked together, and Latour thinks it wouldn't be fair to separate them.
- This generosity causes Father Vaillant to shed a tear before getting up to leave. It's clear that he and Latour are going to miss each other a lot.
- The next morning, Father Vaillant sets out for Colorado.
- Latour rides home to realize that he is now forty-seven years old. He has been in New Mexico for ten years with Father Vaillant at his side.
- Back at his church, he feels lonely. But his spirits rise when he goes into the chapel and sees women worshipping a statue of the Virgin Mary. He's once again reminded of how much religion means to the people of New Mexico, and he feels rejuvenated by his sense of duty to them.
- As we find out, Father Vaillant never returns to work in Santa Fe. He comes back to visit now and then, but he and Latour never work side by side like in the old days.
- In the coming years, Latour gets promoted from bishop to Archbishop. And if we remember the title of this book, this change suggests that death might be coming for Latour.
- Over the years, Father Vaillant suffers a few mishaps that almost kill him. But he keeps pulling through like he's always done.
- Vaillant can't seem to raise any money for a church from the rich white prospectors in Colorado. So he needs to take constant trips down south to collect money from the poor Mexicans, who are much more generous when it comes to religious donations.
- Each time Vaillant and Latour see each other, Latour wonders out loud whether it'll be the last. Vaillant answers that he's ready to die whenever God calls for him.
- Latour kneels and lets Father Vaillant bless him. Then Vaillant does the same and they hug one another as best friends. It definitely feels like a final goodbye.