The “whiskey priest” uncovers the quest of this book. He is a determined priest during times of persecution against religion after the Mexican Rebellion. The priest persists in practicing his religion and spreading it during this time of persecution. As he travels throughout the towns, preaching and avoiding persecution, his human sinful nature begins to stand out. As a priest the world expects him to be righteous and holy in all of his actions, but in the book it shows the priest struggling with alcohol and keepng a mistress.
Intending to run from the police, due to his priesthood, he plans to get a boat out of the province. He doesn’t get on his boat, but hides in a barn in the town where he had preached for years. This is where he hooks up with his mistress, Maria, and continues with an affair with her. Looking back on the affair, he is ashamed, but knows that he can be forgiven for his mistakes and has confidence it won’t ruin his spirituality. He is determined to stay out of trouble with the law. He travels around cautiously, always watching his surroundings. During the quest of the book it shows how the priest represents glory in the title. He is fighting for his religion and in a constant battle between his religion and the government which is the ultimate power in the book. One day he is preaching in the town and the Police Lieutenant shows up with some of his policemen to arrest the priest; the town lies to them in order to save the priest from persecution. He has tried to escape but failed and says “Let me be caught soon, Let me be caught soon!” This comes to show that he has began to give up on him self but he finally rallies back.
