Michael O'Brien presents a thrilling apocalyptic novel about the condition of the Roman Catholic Church at the end of time. It explores the state of the modern world, and the strengths and weaknesses of the contemporary religious scene, by taking his central character, Father Elijah Schafer, a Carmelite priest, on a secret mission for the Vatican which embroils him in a series of crises and subterfuges affecting the ultimate destiny of the Church.
Father Elijah is a convert from Judaism, a survivor of the Holocaust, a man once powerful in Israel. For twenty years he has been "buried in the dark night of Carmel" on the mountain of the prophet Elijah. The Pope and the Cardinal Secretary of State call him out of obscurity and give him a task of the highest sensitivity: to penetrate into the inner circles of a man whom they believe may be the Antichrist. Their purpose: to call the Man of Sin to repentance, and thus to postpone the great tribulation long enough to preach the Gospel to the whole world.
In this richly textured tale, Father Elijah crosses Europe and the Middle East, moves through the echelons of world power, meets saints and sinners, presidents, judges, mystics, embattled Catholic journalists, faithful priests and a conspiracy of traitors within the very House of God.
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!

What people are saying about Father Elijah:
"I guarantee you that once you take up this book you will not put it down until the end of the world. Here is a meaty page-turner with the pace of a thriller, beautifully written, and that something more that turns entertainment into literature."
- Ralph McInerny, Author, Fr. Dowling Mysteries

“What a page turner this one is. The ending in some ways is a little bit unsatisfactory in that the story is so compelling you want it to keep going on and on. A brilliant piece of fiction.”
– Tim Drake

This is an absolutely awesome book!!! This was my first Catholic fiction book and I fell in love with it. It's dynamic, exciting, thrilling. Once you pick it up you won't put it down until it's finished.”
– Stefan

“If you're looking for a well-written fast-paced Catholic fictional novel within the genre of ‘mystery’ that will strengthen your own faith, this is a great buy and a great read.”
– Carson