The arrival of a paved road can be a joyous event for isolated communities. In the case of the town of Tilaco in Mexico’s Sierra Gorda region, the arrival of a paved road was considered nothing short of a miracle. Father Francisco Piñol Miracle, born and ordained in Spain, arrived at the Franciscan Mission of Tilaco in 1963, finding the 18th-century mission in a state of disrepair. Miracle spearheaded efforts to restore the mission, especially its highly elaborate Churrigueresque style facade. The work was greatly hindered because Tilaco was connected…
