Something I'm working on; not really meant as a comment on the Church but a comment on femininity and body image and the mixed messages society sends young women, which will become a bit clearer as I continue the story - I just couched these thoughts in a religious context because I find the saints intriguing and wanted to write characters whose lives mirrored those of saints and how that would play out in a modern world.

I do not mean to offend anyone; nor do I believe the actions portrayed are common to Catholicism or religious people. I want to show a character who is mentally disturbed and so her faith is expressed in disordered ways, and a priest who is in conflict between an old belief system that believes in miracles and saints and a new belief system that tells him this girl needs help and her belief that God is speaking to her is delusional.

As such, if you are offended I apologize, but I am not against all religious people or think belief in God is inherently bad. It is a work in progress though so I do welcome any input about technique and style.

(Also, I know it isn't likely that a priest would just be clearing away the remains of the Eucharist and randomly offer to perform the Divine Liturgy for a random student, but suspend your disbelief for the sake of the story!)