In Julia Alvarez's novel, "In the Time of the Butterflies," Patria Mirabal's religion has been the most important thing to her since she was a child. However, she begins to question her religious beliefs. Alvarez shows the reader how by using Patria's younger sister, Minerva Mirabal, as an influence; and, when Patria loses her baby she loses herself and turns against God completely. However, in the end, Patria decides to revert back to her religion and put her full belief in God. From the beginning, Patria's life revolved around God and her religion. Alvarez shows the reader Patria's interest in her religion by her actions, dialogue and feelings. Patria's feelings are displayed by her saying, "From the beginning, I felt it, snug inside my heart, the pearl of great price. No one had to tell me to believe in God or to love everything that lives. I did it automatically, like a shoot inching its way towards the light  (44). One way Patria shows interest in her religion through her actions is, "I'd write out my religious name in all kinds of script- Sor Mercedes- the way other girls were trying out their given names with the surnames of cute boys  (45). Another is, "When we played make-believe, I'd put a sheet over my shoulders and pretend I was walking down long corridors, saying my beads, in my starched vestments  (45). Patria'sInmaculada and Padre Ignacio, the father of the church, both influence Patria's perspective of her religion. Padre Ignacio helps Patria in discovering God. Her schooling has both a positive and negative affect for her religion. The Inmaculada is led by nuns and the church, which gives her strides toward God and other aspects of her religion. "He said that maybe I had a calling for the religious life that was manifesting itself early on  (45)."Do you really believe what the gospel says? He knows how many strands of hair are on your head?  (47). Even at such a young age Patria would chastise others for "play