Seven Virtues, Divine and Moral, the Seven Sacraments, the Seven
Deadly Sins.We have to know by heart all the prayers, the Hail Mary,
the Our Father, the Confiteor, the Apostles Creed, the Act of Contri-
tion, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.We have to know them in
Irish and English and if we forget an Irish word and use English he goes
into a rage and goes at us with the stick.If he had his way wed be learn-
ing our religion in Latin, the language of the saints who communed
intimately with God and His Holy Mother, the language of the early
Christians,who huddled in the catacombs and went forth to die on rack
and sword, who expired in the foaming jaws of the ravenous lion. Irish
is fine for patriots, English for traitors and informers, but its the Latin
that gains us entrance to heaven itself. Its the Latin the martyrs prayed
in when the barbarians pulled out their nails and cut their skin off inch
by inch. He tells us were a disgrace to Ireland and her long sad history,
that wed be better off in Africa praying to bush or tree. He tells us were
hopeless, the worst class he ever had for First Communion but as sure
as God made little apples hell make Catholics of us, hell beat the idler
out of us and the Sanctifying Grace into us.
Brendan Quigley raises his hand. We call him Question Quigley
because hes always asking questions. He cant help himself. Sir, he says,
whats Sanctifying Grace?
The master rolls his eyes to heaven. Hes going to kill Quigley.
Instead he barks at him, Never mind whats Sanctifying Grace, Quigley.
Thats none of your business.Youre here to learn the catechism and
do what youre told.Youre not here to be asking questions.There are
too many people wandering the world asking questions and thats what
has us in the state were in and if I find any boy in this class asking
questions I wont be responsible for what happens. Do you hear me,
Quigley?
I do.
I do what?
I do, sir.
He goes on with his speech,There are boys in this class who will
never know the Sanctifying Grace. And why? Because of the greed. I
have heard them abroad in the schoolyard talking about First Commu-
nion day, the happiest day of your life. Are they talking about receiving
the body and blood of Our Lord? Oh, no.Those greedy little blaguards
are talking about the money theyll get,The Collection.Theyll go from
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