Stephen exerts enormous energy in filling his days with penitent devotion, zealous prayers, rosary recitations, and elaborate attempts to mortify his senses. Each day of the week is devoted to a different religious facet or figure. The raw morning air only increases his piety. He saw his acts of devotion as pressing keys of a divine cash register, though he also fears that no degree of devotion shall ever be enough. Though he ponders what must be God's love for all of his children, Stephen himself admits to having long been unable to feel love or hate, only brief anger and lust. However, he does believe that God loves him and even comes to see all of creation as an expression of God's love and power. So filled with this perception, and fulfilled.....
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