Death Comes for the Archbishop

3.5 stars. This was my first Cather! It was slower than I expected for such a short book, but really immersive in the little that was present in the New Mexico territory in the 1800s, and very much a vibe of vignettes going through the very long life and ministry of Father Latour.

Can't rate it higher because it did occasionally lull me to sleep, but it contained such beautiful lines that I can't rate it lower either.

At first [Eusabio] did not open his lips, merely stood holding Father Latour's very fine white hand in his very fine dark one, and looked into his face with a message of sorrow and resignation in his deep-set, eagle eyes. A wave of feeling passed over his bronze features as he said slowly: “My friend has come.”That was all, but it was everything; welcome, confidence, appreciation.“If hereafter we have stars in our crowns, yours will be a constellation.”

And one I hope I have the opportunity to use in my lifetime:
“But you should not be discouraged; one does not die of a cold.”The old man smiled. “I shall not die of a cold, my son. I shall die of having lived.”