"It was a public experience, shared by everyone in our society. It was awful, but we were in it together!" Father Flynn, p. 5

"For those so afflicted, only God knows their pain. Their secret. The secret of their alienating sorrow." Father Flynn, p.6.

"We simply have to get [William] through, out the door, and then he's somebody else's project." Sister Aloysius, p. 8.

"I'm sorry I'm not more forthright, but I must be careful not to create something by saying it. I can only say I am concerned, perhaps needlessly, about matters in St. Nicholas School." Sister Aloysius, p. 15.

"The rest of the game you're cooperating with your teammates, you're competing against the other team. But at the foul line, it's you against yourself." Father Flynn, p. 17.

"Well, if Sisters were permitted in the rectory, I would be interested to hear that talk. I don't know how to be...