Anti-Semitism is the most horrible blow our Lord has received in his Passion; it is everlasting, it is the most bloody and unforgivable, for he receives it on the face of his mother and from the hand of Christians.—Léon Bloy.

Destinees D’Israel was written during those war years when anti-Semitism reached a greater degree of virulence than Léon Bloy anticipated even in his most pessimistic prophecies; and he has foretold only too accurately the great disaster of our time. The Abbé Journet’s book which completes and corrects the ideas set forth in the Salut par les Juifs offers an exhaustive theological explanation of the destinies of the chosen people.

‘Salvation is of the Jews.’ These are the words of Christ to the Samaritan woman. This race has been preferred to others by a mysterious choice, incomprehensible to human intelligence; consequently its spiritual and temporal destinies are for ever dependent on the great mystery of the Redemption. This dependence is made clear in the course of history in a manner always supernatural but varying according to the three successive attitudes of Israel towards its Messiah, first expectation and preparation, then denial, finally acceptance. (This last has not yet taken place, but we know by divine revelation that it cannot fail to come about.)