Thomas Merton

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was an American Catholic monk, mystic, and bestselling author of more than 70 books. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential religious and spiritual authors of the 20th century. Born in Prades, France in 1915, Merton grew up in a family that valued literature and the arts. After his father died in a railway accident when he was 7, Merton and his mother moved to the United States. Merton attended Columbia University, where he earned a degree in English. In 1938, he entered the Abbey of Gethsemani, a Trappist monastery near Louisville, Kentucky.

At the Abbey of Gethsemani, Merton was exposed to Eastern forms of Christianity, eventually leading to his conversion to Catholicism in 1941. During his time at Gethsemani, he wrote widely on topics of Christian spirituality, theology and literature. In 1949, his spiritual autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, was published. It was widely praised for its candid and intimate reflections on Merton’s spiritual journey. The book soon became an international bestseller and propelled him to fame.

Throughout his writings, Merton was highly critical of a number of issues, including racism, nuclear proliferation, and war. In the 1950s, he was an outspoken advocate for peace and non-violent resistance to militarism. He was also one of the most outspoken critics of the Catholic Church’s involvement in the Vietnam War. In 1968, he traveled to Thailand to take part in a peace conference, where he died suddenly of an accidental heart attack. He was 53.

The most enduring legacy of Thomas Merton is the vast body of his writings, which have had a lasting influence on Christian spirituality and theology. His profound insights into contemplative prayer and monastic life, as well as his commitment to peace and social justice, continue to inspire millions of people. In addition to his spiritual writings, Merton wrote poetry, essays, stories, and more than 70 books. His other notable works include Disputed Questions (1960), Seeds of Contemplation (1948), No Man Is an Island (1955), and New Seeds of Contemplation (1961).

In 2014, Merton was posthumously awarded a National Humanities Medal for his contributions to the field of faith and literature. His life and work have been the subject of numerous biographies, films, and documentaries. While Merton’s legacy continues to impact people all over the world, his writings and story will remain a source of guidance and hope for generations to come.