The Diary of a Country Priest by George Bernanos
"The Diary of a Country Priest" by Georges Bernanos is a poignant exploration of the life of a young priest serving in a rural French parish. Presented through the format of a diary, the novel delves into the priest's introspection and challenges as he navigates his calling amidst self-doubt and personal suffering. Though his attempts to connect with his parishioners often meet with ridicule and misunderstanding, the priest's commitment to his faith remains unwavering. A significant aspect of his journey includes his efforts to help a troubled woman find peace, which ironically leads to tragic consequences when her daughter blames him for her mother's death.
Compounding his struggles is the priest's serious physical illness, which leads him to confront his mortality. His reflections reveal a deep engagement with themes of grace and redemption, particularly in his final moments. The novel was introduced to American readers during the Great Depression, a time marked by widespread hardship, which adds a layer of resonance to its themes of redemptive suffering. Through its raw and honest portrayal of spiritual perseverance, "The Diary of a Country Priest" invites readers to contemplate the complexities of faith and the human condition.
On this Page
The Diary of a Country Priest by George Bernanos
Identification Novel about an idealistic young French priest, struggling with difficult parishioners and serious illness
Author Georges Bernanos
Dates Published in France in 1936 as Journal d’un curé de compagne; English edition (translated by Pamela Morris) published in the United States in 1937
This book explores the struggles and spiritual progress of a dedicated young priest. Written from a perspective of serious faith, it can be considered a part of the Roman Catholic Literary Revival in Europe, which had an impact on a similar Catholic revival in the United States.
The Diary of a Country Priest explores the world of an earnest young priest in a country parish in France. Written as the priest’s diary, the novel shows his self-doubt and suffering as he tries to minister to his parish. Nothing is obviously heroic about the struggles of this young priest. He is teased and generally mistreated by the young girls in his catechism class. His successful attempt to bring a bitter woman to repentance and peace is followed by accusations from her daughter that he caused her death by “upsetting her.” In all these struggles, the young priest perseveres with humility and awareness of his own need for God’s help.
Complicating the priest’s spiritual and interpersonal struggles is physical illness. Unable to eat or drink anything beyond bread and wine, the priest is told by a doctor that he is dying of stomach cancer. The priest’s last moments convey his faith and love; his final words express an awareness of the pervasive nature of grace.
Impact
This book came to the United States in the middle of the Great Depression, when much suffering was sweeping across the country. Bernanos offers a depiction of redemptive suffering, a key concept in Catholic and Christian theology in general.
Bibliography
Comfort, Kathy. “Imperiled Souls: Metaphorical Representations of Spiritual Confusion in Georges Bernanos’ Journal d’un Curé de Campagne.” Renascence: Essays on Values in Literature 57, no. 1 (Fall, 2004): 29.
Dorschell, Mary Frances. “Georges Bernanos: The Vocation of the Christian Writer.” Christianity and Literature 55, no. 3 (Spring, 2006): 315.
Molnar, Thomas. Bernanos: His Political Thought and Prophecy. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1960.