the diary of a country priest by georges bernanos

The priest feels he shouldn't become involved in the family's personal life, but after he is visited by Mlle Chantal, he feels he has no choice.

Mlle Louise, the governess at the Château asks the priest to approach her employers about sending Mlle Chantal, the oldest daughter, to a finishing school. Soon, a drama involving the most prestigious family in the neighborhood begins to unfold before the priest. He has lost weight drastically and finds he can eat nothing but bread soaked in wine without upsetting his stomach. In addition to these challenges, the priest's health is not good. Although the priest hopes the children's catechism class will be a comfort to him, even that is marred by one child who delights in entertaining the rest of the children by doing and saying things to embarrass the priest. A member of the community commits suicide. The priest feels tricked when a grocer offers to send him three bottles of wine, and then charges the priest for them. Soon, the reality of life in the French countryside sets in for the priest. He plans to visit his parishioners are least once every three months, start a young man's sporting guild and teach the children of the parish the catechism as well as performing his other priestly duties. The priest, who is never given a name, begins his appointment to the parish of Ambricourt, France with high hopes for both himself and his parishioners. Before his death, however, the priest learns the mysteries of grace and loving oneself. In the end of the story, the priest dies of stomach cancer.

Although his parishioners treat him unkindly, gossip about him and misinterpret his actions, the priest remains faithful to God and serves the parish to the best of his ability. In the novel, a young, unhealthy priest keeps a journal during the time he serves in his first parish. The Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos is a story of injustice and faith that passes the barriers of time.

The diary of a country priest by georges bernanos