He no longer believed in any of it. Faith was a bit like luck. Spiritual luck. By the end of his novitiate it had begun to drain away. He struggled and prayed to retain it but each morning that he awoke he realized that he had less of it. He had sprung a leak and he didn't know where to mend it.
Nevertheless he took his final vows. He did not know what else he could do. To back out at that stage would have killed his father. He was convinced of it.
Once he had discussed the problem with his Novice Master but he had averted his face and told him to pray. After this his prayers carried an extra phrase - if You exist. God, if You exist, help me. But this compromise eventually gave way to not praying at all. He felt totally trapped. It was funny in a way that it was his love for his father and a desire not to hurt him that kept him for so long in the Brothers. But when his father died everything changed.
- Bernard MacLaverty
When she emptied the kettle she always filled it for the benefit of the next person.
- Bernard MacLaverty
When she emptied the kettle she always filled it for the benefit of the next person.
- Bernard MacLaverty
Believers. I mean, where have they all gone?
- Bernard MacLaverty
Believers. I mean, where have they all gone?
- Bernard MacLaverty
Cal, the world is full of gulpins who don't care who they hurt.
- Bernard MacLaverty
She smiled to prove everything was all right. It was an odd device, this rearrangement of muscles of the face which said everything is all right. No need to enquire within. It could be used as a barrier to fend off emotional intruders.
- Bernard MacLaverty
She smiled to prove everything was all right. It was an odd device, this rearrangement of muscles of the face which said everything is all right. No need to enquire within. It could be used as a barrier to fend off emotional intruders.
- Bernard MacLaverty
She smiled to prove everything was all right. It was an odd device, this rearrangement of muscles of the face which said everything is all right. No need to enquire within. It could be used as a barrier to fend off emotional intruders.
- Bernard MacLaverty