A Bit More About Merton

This is a picture of The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, where Thomas Merton spent 27 years. It is situated in central Kentucky. The abbey was founded by Trappist monks in 18 48. Formally, the Trappists are called the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, and Trappist monks write the designation O.C.S.O. after their names.

I also found this beautiful prayer of Thomas Merton's (source: Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude, 1958) at a blog authored by Justin Lewis-Anthony , a priest in the Church of England.

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.

How about this? A link to Thomas Merton's Marian Poetry.

Here is an excerpt from a poem called The Holy Child's Song.

And when My Mother, pretty as a church,
Takes Me upon her lap, I laugh with love,
Loving to live in her flesh, which is My house and full of
light!

And! a link to some nice Thomas Merton websites.