Cather once again returns to the theme of tradition. The bell dates from 1356, and the tradition of the Angelus derives from the time of the Crusades. The legend of the Virgin of Guadalupe dates from 1531. Both traditions extend from the Old World to the New World, where Latour and Vaillant are charged with continuing the traditions of the Catholic Church.
Vaillant refers to Divine love as a vision corrective for humans. Much like the appearance of the cruciform juniper in Chapter 1, he believes that miracles can be seen and heard from a refined perspective that recognizes the miracles that surround humanity at all times.
