Summary

Chapter 17. Antonio begins the catechism classes that will lead to his first communion on Easter Sunday. Most of the kids in his class go to the catechism classes taught by the priest, including Florence who tells Antonio that he does not believe in God. Florence explains that both of his parents were dead by the time he was three and that his sisters work as “whores” at Rosie’s. He cannot understand how a just God would allow such things to happen and Antonio wonders the same thing. The priest explains the difference between mortal and venial sins and warns the children about eternal damnation.

Chapter 18. Holy Week arrives and Antonio participates in Ash Wednesday and Good Friday ceremonies. He must make his first confession and is nervous about the process. As the children wait outside the church to go to confession, they begin to...