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THOMAS
MERTON NEWSLETTER 3December 6, 2000
As most of you know, December 10th has a special significance for those of us interested in Thomas Merton. On December 10, 1941, he entered the Abbey of Gethsemani. On December 10, 1968 he died in Bangkok, Thailand.
I remember a retreat I took at the Abbey of Gethsemani earlier this year and Father Matthew Kelty was telling of December 10, 1968. He said, "Abbot Flavian Burns came into the dining hall and said, "we have just learned that Father Louis died in Thailand. Those are the only details we have at this time." Then Father Matthew added these significant and poignant words, "And things were forever different!"
Yes, things were forever different, and for most of us discovery of Thomas Merton has meant a difference in each of our lives.
To commemorate this special day, I am suggesting a mini-retreat that each of us takes as a reminder of Thomas Merton's introduction into our lives.
It does not have to be long, perhaps an hour or two. But it should be a time of rememberance for God's Blessing of introducing us to Father Louis (Thomas Merton).SUGGESTED MINI-MERTON RETREAT: - DECEMBER 10, 2000
Time of Silence - 10 minutes to get centered.
Read Psalms 95:1-7
Reading of Merton's: Where I Am Going Poem
or read Susan Baker's poem on opposite page.
A Time of Remembrance - questions to consider..
- How did you become acquainted with Merton. What was the situation in your life at the time?
- Why was Merton so important then to you? What did God have to do with it?
- What writings of Merton have been most influencial in your life? Why those particular writings?
- If you could ask one question of Merton what would it be?
- Think of one person who has come into your life because of Thomas Merton and pray for that person.
Read a chapter or one of your favorite Thomas Merton works.
Take a short break. 15 minutes. Walk and absorb what you have just read. Reflect on what you read has been saying to you.
Write in your journal what this time has meant to you, or any new discoveries.
Spend time praying with a thanksgiving heart for this time and any messages God has spoken as you listen.
Closing Prayer
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen ( Jude 24-25)
I would love to hear of any experiences you have during this time. I will share my reflections with you after December 10th, ok?
May you have a Merry Christmas and the most exciting New Year of Your Life.
Again please Forward this to your friends who you think might like Thomas Merton and be sure to visit the THOMAS MERTON WEBSITE.Blessings,
You are visitor #
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WE GET LETTERS
If you feel led help answer these needs.I'm writing a paper on Ernesto Cardenal, a Nicaraguan poet, priest, and revolutionary who studied under and became a friend of Merton at Gethsemani. I know the two corresponded on a number of occasions. Do you know whether these letters might have been published? Is there a published collection of Merton's personal letters available? Thanks for any help you can afford. Sincerely, Eric Frith
_____________________________________________________Hello, My name is Evan and I am from western New York(Niagara Falls region). I am 28 and I have read a few of Thomas Merton's books. My question is when monks take a "vow to silence" is there a process involved? And can a non-monk take a vow to silence?
_____________________________________________________Our newly formed chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society is interested in knowing more about his family--to be specific father Owen. I am unable to find information on the web--any suggestions? Or do any of the many books about tm include appropriate material? Are any of his art works on view in museums in New York? Or maybe in London? I'll be visiting there later this month. Thanks for any information you can give me. Gemma Fastiggi
_____________________________________________________Dear Dan Phillips:
My name is Susan Baker and just recently came across your website. I've been reading the early journals of Thomas Merton and listened to The Seven Storey Mountain on tape (after which I went out and got the book!). I'm also reading No Man is an Island, a book of his reflections on drawing nearer to God. I've been so incredibly moved by this man, who I feel has come into my life at very important time and who speaks to me through his writing as if he is peering into the window of my soul. I am enjoying your journal entries - I'm also a big journal writer and I wanted to share a poem I wrote, which was inspired by Run to the Mountain, the pre-monastic journals of Merton. The first line in the poem is from an entry he wrote on Aug. 21, 1940. The last line is from an entry written on March 2, 1941 (except for the word "day"). I hope you enjoy it.FOR THOMAS MERTON
Maybe today was the day when I should have asked myself
What has happened to the summer.
The moon hangs heavy in the sky,
Your call hangs heavy in my heart,
And it seems strange to be here.
What is it to me to suffer so little for just a glimpse of Heaven When You, O God, bore the marks of hatred
That I might know the grace of Love?
Maybe today was the day when I should have asked myself What has happened to my Self.
You cast your ghostly eyes upon my soul,
You brood over my spirit,
And I no longer belong here.
What is it to surrender so completely to Thy will
That I no longer see, taste, feel or touch through my own devices,
But You, my Lord, through me?
Maybe today was the day when I should have asked myself What it means to pray.
And to have but one prayer, to have a single desire:
To belong here in Thy Holy Chamber.
What is it to love You so perfectly that I would die for You, Live for You, renounce all for You?
Maybe today was the day that I understood
What it means to be free.
Or maybe it begins tomorrow.
And yet, this day is only a smudge in the shadows of Heaven. ---
Susan Baker--- (Why not write Susan and let her know how much you enjoyed her poem??)
______________________________________________________hi Mr. Phillip. i was wondering if you can tell me about thomas merton. i learn stuff from library and internet, but i really was to know who he is, and how he feels towards things. i need help for my project, i need to talk about him for and hour. and i was just asking for help on what i should say. please and thank you sarah
______________________________________________________WHERE I AM GOING
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Thomas Merton - Thoughts in Solitude
