In Chapter 4 of “In the Time of the Butterflies” by Julia Alvarez, the narrative focuses on Patria Mirabal in the year 1946. Patria, the eldest of the Mirabal sisters, grapples with her faith and sense of duty. During the Holy Thursday liturgy, she participates in a religious ritual by washing the feet of a young man, giving him a “beatific smile” which suggests her deep spiritual connection and the answer to her prayers.
Another significant moment occurs when Patria sees a portrait of the Virgin Mary. Initially, she finds it gaudy and cheap, but witnessing the devotion of the masses stirs her faith anew. This chapter delves into Patria’s internal struggles and her eventual reawakening of faith, setting the stage for her later involvement in the resistance against Trujillo’s regime.