Willa Cather 
Death Comes for the Archbishop 

’Death Comes for the Archbishop’ is a masterful work of historical fiction by Willa Cather. Set in the American Southwest in the mid-19th century, the novel tells the story of a young French priest who is sent to establish a Catholic diocese in a rugged and unfamiliar land. Through his encounters with the indigenous people and his fellow settlers, the priest comes to understand the complexities and beauty of the human spirit. With its vivid descriptions and deep insight into the human soul, ’Death Comes for the Archbishop’ is a timeless meditation on the meaning of faith, community, and the quest for spiritual fulfillment.