Father Lucero, whose name means "light," lives in darkness and self-induced poverty. He tries to defeat death by lighting candles. Although candles traditionally hold religious significance, for Lucero they only mean protection from robbers.
Both avarice and hedonism come to the same end: death. Both Martinez and Lucero have powerful personalities. Under guidance and discipline, they could have become great priests. Instead, they died in ignominy.
