Cistercian Fathers and Forefathers: Essays and Conferences
This volume of previously uncollected studies makes a notable contribution to Merton's extensive and influential legacy. This volume includes pieces on eleventh- and twelfth-century mo-nastics by Thomas Merton, perhaps the most significant American Catholic spiritual writer of the twentieth century. The essays are difficult to locate elsewhere, the conference transcriptions are available only here.
"A treasure of Merton's work on monastic thought. This book will be a wonderful text for courses on Christian spirituality, but it can also serve well on retreat."
Patrick J. Hayes, Catholic Library World"The many people who like and admire Merton will want to read this book, not just for Merton's writings and conferences, but for O'Connell's introductions and notes. It deserves a place in monastery libraries."
Hugh Feiss, American Benedictine Review "These heretofore uncollected essays and newly transcribed oral con-ferences reveal Merton deeply embedded in the thought and practices of his Cistercian forebears. His theological and philosophical intuitions are often brilliant as he mines his Fathers to transcend the convictions of their age to speak with cogency to the uncertainties of our own. Full of insights that move the heart. the conferences are often humorous and always charming. Dr. O'Connell's introductions and notes continue his tradition of deploying careful scholarship in his many highly-regarded volumes preserving Merton's literary legacy." Jonathan Montaldo, Former Director of the Thomas Merton Center, General Editor of Fons Vitae Thomas Merton Series "With his usual care and diligence, Patrick O'Connell has put together a series of essays and conferences by Thomas Merton on Cistercian Fathers and Forefathers. Even after all these years they fill a need not otherwise satisfied. They are valuable not only to Cistercians, but to all who have an interest in monastic tradition. In them, Merton shows his expertise in presenting these people in a way that is both scholarly and full of human interest." James Conner, OCSO Thomas Merton's Former Undermaster of Novices"The more we know about monastic and Cistercian tradition, the more we know Thomas Merton who was preeminently a monk of Gethsemani. Perhaps no living scholar knows more about or has done more to make this material more widely available than Patrick F. O'Connell. His new collection of Merton's monastic studies illustrates Merton's continued conviction that the Cistercian Fathers had lost none of their relevance for contemporary Christians." Bonnie Thurston, former President of the International Thomas Merton Society, editor of Merton & Buddhism
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