A monk and priest at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani in Kentucky, Thomas Merton became an unlikely, but influential public figure after the publication of his best-selling spiritual autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain (1948).  Encouraged by superiors, Merton continued writing and eventually produced several popular books that made contemplative prayer accessible to a general audience.  An outspoken social activist, he emphasized the importance of contemplation for an active life committed to peace and justice.  He also engaged ideas from other faith traditions, notably Islam and Buddhism.  In addition to these interests, Merton’s body of work—including journals, correspondence, and poetry—attests to his deeply spiritual appreciation for the natural world.             

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                        

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        THOMAS MERTON

 

 

        HIS HERMITAGE AT GETHSEMENE, THE TRAPPIST MONASTERY WHERE HE LIVED.

WHY MERTON? WHY NOW?

Members of the Thomas Merton Planning Team were asked this question, “What drew you to Merton? The following are their responses:

"I came to know Thomas Merton in the 60's when he was working for peace. Later in life, when I became attracted to mysticism and contemplation-I found him again. He is multi-faceted and studying him has helped me to grow spiritually." - - Kathy Mc Donald

"Thomas Merton became a 'person of interest' for me when I was in college. With the war in Viet Nam raging, here was this monk writing and speaking so passionately about peace. His Seeds of Contemplation was inspirational to me. Later I would find it so interesting that the Franciscans did not accept him!"-- Fr. Al Hirt, OFM

“Merton set my heart on fire in the 1980’s by making his logical integration of justice with the deepest desire for the gift of mysticism.” - - Pat Brockman

"The way he experienced the Eucharist, blew me away – at a time when I had no interest in Eucharist." - - Moe Nieman

"In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a  dream of separateness...I have the immense joy of being man, a member of a race in which God Himself became incarnate." Merton’s Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander .

"I read this in a "Catholic Update" newsletter I picked up at a Saturday evening Mass sometime in the late 1970's. I was in college and feeling that isolation that young adults often feel as they try to understand where they are and where they're going. There was a picture of Merton and a little background on him in the article and something just really spoke to me. I had never heard of him before this and decided to read "The Seven Story Mountain" which was mentioned in the article. I have since been completely fascinated by his utter earthiness and believability. He doesn't come across as distant or pious or holy - just a 20th century man trying to understand a 20th century world and his place in it and he invites us along for the ride." - Tom East

"I heard about Thomas Merton when I was a master’s student. Curious about this Columbia University graduate who had converted to Catholicism and joined a Trappist monastery in Kentucky, I picked up his best-selling autobiography and was immediately hooked. Reading about his spiritual journey and the wisdom he learned from a contemplative life led me to think more deeply about prayer, my relationship with God, and my responsibilities in the world."                        - Matt Schloeser

"I was first drawn to learn and study more about Merton after seeing "Winter Rain" in 1996. Merton's deep soul-searching and longing led to a profound sharing of life and love for God. His writings and life choices and experiences help me get in touch with our wonderful and mysterious God." - Faith Kemper

"It was Merton’s connection to nature that deeply resonated with me. After my parents, my mentors were Merton and a college professor. His mystical understanding of the interconnectedness of all things is exquisite!" - Ann Boltz

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

October 10 & 11

Merton: A Film Biography shown after all the Masses.

October 27

7-9:30, Keynote: Thomas Merton: Poet and Prophet for a New Century by Chris Pramuk.

The evening begins with Taize Evening Prayer. *

November 6

Hermit in New York by Stillpoint Theatre Collective, 7:00 PM. Cost $7. Students, $5.

January 23 & 24,

Lawrence Cunningham will speak at all Masses.*

January 24, 25 & 26

Presentations by Lawrence Cunningham, 7-9 PM.*

January 24:

Thomas Merton as an Autobiographical Theologian.

January 25:

Why Thomas Merton is a Spiritual Master for our Time.

January 26:

Contemplation in a World of Action According to Merton

February 26 & 27

Lenten Retreat by Jonathan Montaldo. Friday 7-9:30, and Saturday 9-3:30 :

Becoming Communities of Forgiveness:

Thomas Merton’s Teaching on Living in Contemplative

Relationships. $20, lunch included

April 22

Earth Day Presentation by Kathleen Deignan: Meeting Merton Again for the First Time:

Contemplative Ecologist, Ecological Prophet. 

7-9 PM.*

April 25

Thomas Merton: Sowing the Seeds of Justice and Compassion by Christine Bochen 7-9 PM.*

May 6

Silence and Being: Thomas Merton’s Interest in Buddhism by Bonnie Thurston 7-9 PM.*

May 7

There is No God But God: Thomas Merton’s Interest in Islam by Bonnie Thurston 7-9 PM.*

May 25

Redeeming the Rhinoceros: Thomas Merton’ Guilty Bystander in the Twenty-First

Century, closing address by Paul Pearson 7-9:15. The evening begins with Taize Evening Prayer.*

 

It is our abundant hope that this immersion into Merton’s journey will enlarge our own relationships

with God, others, ourselves and all of creation.

ALL ARE WELCOME. RSVP to the parish office.  Freewill offerings and sponsors are most appreciated.

 

 

Click the link above to view the Merton Pamphlet

 

 

Click the link above to view Merton Quotes and Press release