How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Malachy says he's hungry and he wants some [communion wafers], too. Dad says, shush, that's Holy Communion, the body and blood of Our Lord.
But, Dad.
Shush, it's a mystery.
There's no use asking more questions. If you ask a question they tell you it's a mystery, you'll understand when you grow up, be a good boy, ask your mother, ask your father, for the love o'Jesus leave me alone, go out and play. (3.130-133)
The adults in Frank's life think that the way to get a kid to believe is to insist he believe. We think Frank might be a better Catholic if he got his questions answered. Strong faith can stand up to a few questions. Then maybe his First Holy Communion would seem like more than just a chance to get candy. It might actually mean something to him.
Quote #5
She worries Mikey might have the fit and die and go to hell if he has any class of a sin on his soul though everyone knows he's an angel out of heaven. Mikey tells her God is not going to afflict you with the fit and then boot you into hell on top of it. What kind of a God would do a thing like that? (4.12)
Mikey believes in a merciful God, not the fire and brimstone God the priests use to scare the boys. He doesn't know that much about Church teachings; it's just his child's common sense interpretation of what he thinks God is like. You can tell that Frank thinks Mikey has a point.
Quote #6
[…] You're here to learn the catechism and do what you're told. You're not to be asking questions. There are too many people wandering the world and asking questions and that's what has us in the state we're in and if I find any boy in this class asking questions I won't be responsible for what happens. (4.22)
Religion as it was taught to Frank is authoritarian and rigid. It was a lot of "thou shalt nots." You get the impression that Frank sees all this as burdensome, not enlightening, even for a boy who loves to learn. And no questions allowed.