“And it was true, the religion she was raised in had always seemed vaguely foolish to her, if rich with mystery and ceremony, for why should babies be born into sin, why should she pray to the invisible forces, why would god be a trinity, why should she, who felt her greatness hot in her blood, be considered lesser because the first woman was molded from a rib and ate a fruit and thus lost lazy Eden?”

This early passage foreshadows Marie’s struggles with the Catholic Church and its patriarchal structure. She will challenge the vision of this church by taking on the role of priest and by conceiving an alternate vision of god and godliness. The length of the passage, with its parallel clauses, is incantatory like a prayer while also expressing Marie’s frustration with the Church.

“For it was out of Eleanor all good things flowed: music and laughter and courtly love; out of her beauty came beauty, for everyone knew beauty to be the external sign of god’s favor.”

Marie’s devotion to Eleanor has a religious tinge at the beginning. She is in love with Eleanor as a woman but also worships her like a god. As Marie grows into her role as prioress and then abbess at the abbey, her faith will become less conventional, and her view of both Eleanor and godliness will change.

“Eight hours of prayer: Matins in the deep night, Lauds at dawn, followed by Prime, Terce, Sext, chapter, None, Vespers, collation, Compline, bed. Work and silence and contemplation throughout.”

This is the schedule of a day at the abbey that the abbess Emme presents to Marie. While Marie will transform much about life at the abbey during her own tenure as abbess, this essential rhythm will not change. Rather, Marie will find more meaning and mystery within the routine.