To the End of the World

by Helen C. White

To the End of the World tells of Michel de la Tour d’Auvergne, a Frenchman of high ideals whose cherished ambition is to see the great monastery of Cluny enkindle in France the fervor of faith in Christ and his Church. Yet it is the year 1789 and monasteries great and small are to serve as kindling for an altogether different the conflagration of Church and tradition in the name of Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité . From the ashes of Cluny, Michel rises to pursue that same aim of awakening France from its spiritual slumber—albeit now in the humble role of parish priest to a cheerless fishing village. When the Revolutionaries impose the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, Michel refuses to take the Oath, thereby setting into motion a string of tumultuous events that will bring him to the shadow of the guillotine itself. Yet another example of Helen C. White’s outstanding merits as a storyteller of humanity and history, To the End of the World captures the tumult of the French Revolution and the terrible question it set before men of God—whether they truly believed in the words of their “Behold I am with you all days, even to the end of the world.”

506 pages, Paperback

Published September 14, 2023

Reviews

[Jeff Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an American Catholic author unknown to me, but recently recommended to me - this book in particular. The story of a young priest with high dreams of reform of monastic life and his struggles with his family who have different dreams for him in the Church is nothing new. It has been echoed throughout history. That his dreams are interrupted by the French Revolution, provide more than just tension and drama. The characters are such that you could almost reach out and touch them and the story brought many aspects of the time fuller to my attention. There are also aspects of the story, that for me, parallel some of the tensions we currently live through and the ideological dimes that we can turn on.

[Fides · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful dive into the French Revolution and its many evils

[Luke Mohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, equal parts historical portrait of the non-juring Church during the French Revolution and spiritual portrait of a young priest whose best-laid plans of reform are demolished.