Carmen

The Mexican town where the priest was born and raised.

Conception

The Mexican town in which the priest's parish was located.

Mexico City

The capital city of Mexico.

Whiskey Priest

A derogatory term used to describe a priest who drinks large amounts of alcohol. It is often used to describe the priest that is the protagonist of the novel.

Yankee

A term used to describe an American.

Mestizo

A person of mixed race, usually European and Spanish or Latin ancestry.

Act of Contrition

A Catholic prayer recited during or after confession.

Confession

The process of confessing your sins and asking for forgiveness. In the context of the novel a sinner confesses to a priest admitting all of his or her sins. It is a central element of the Christian faith.

Ora pro nobis

A Latin phrase meaning 'pray for us.' The phrase is repeated by the...