A PATHWAY TO HEAVEN

by Henry Bordeaux ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 9, 1953

A parable of a parish priest reflects a liberal, limitless faith and a sunny serenity for the story of Abbe Calixte Merval, whose ingenuous spirit and impromptu acts of mercy provoke a worldlier criticism- sparked by malice. He takes as housekeeper a pregnant girl and aligns the father of the baby in marriage- if only in extremis- on his deathbed. His paintings, which reflect the goodness he sees everywhere, bring him an unsolicited success in Paris but open his unschooled opinions to misinterpretation; he shelters a suspended priest- and directs him to a Trappist monastery; he brings an organ- and music- to the village. Arraigned before the Bishop on several charges, the Bishop penalizes (rewards?) him with a trip to Italy, but asks him to consider the renunciation of his painting. But the intervention of the Lord spares him his final sacrifice.... A gentle message of transcendent faith, in story form.

Pub Date: March 9, 1953

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Pellegrini & Cudahy

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1953

Categories: FICTION