The moment in confession with Father Eustace McSweeney was a turning point for Maria. Can you understand the decision she made as a result of that confession? Have you ever been in a similar situation where someone led you down a path without you realising what was going on?
Maria came from a very religious family. Is there anything in your own religious experience that could equal Maria’s experience?
From the moment Maria met Carlos her life changed. Do you think she had any choice in the final outcome of that relationship?
Maria’s mother had a huge impact on her life. What was your relationship with your mother like when you were growing up? And, what do you think Maria could have done to maintain a good mother/daughter relationship yet achieve some independence too?
Maria seems to have flip-flopped in her commitment to God. Can you think of any times you have flip-flopped in life?
The trip to America seems to have happened without much thought. What do you think was going on in Maria’s head? Have you ever done something impulsively and regretted it?
Have you ever heard a voice that you could not explain? How did you make sense of it?
There were moments in Maria’s life when she truly felt the need to confess. Have you ever felt the need to confess something to someone? What prompted those feelings? How did you feel afterwards? Was there a sense of relief, contrition, absolution or …?
There were several moments in Maria’s life when everything changed for her. Can you pinpoint similar moments in your own life that were pivotal?
Maria felt regret at many levels later in life. Do you ever allow yourself to feel regret over past decisions?
Maria’s belief in God was strong throughout a big part of her life. Has your faith changed over the years? Has it been impacted by big moments in your life or did it quietly fade?
Faith guided Maria’s morality for the first half of her life. What influences have guided your own moral choices? And, can you pinpoint a single person or event or book that shaped you into the person you are today? Explain.
What question would you like to ask Maria? Send her a note.
