The Thomas Merton Society
of Great Britain & Ireland
Since 1993, The Thomas Merton Society of Great Britain & Ireland has been at the forefront of exploring the life & writings of Merton and his impact on the contemporary world, with conferences, retreats and the publication of the Merton Journal.
The focus of the Society over 2015 was the celebration of centenary of Thomas Merton's birth in France on 31st January 1915.
Oakham Conference 2018
Our 2018 Residential Conference will be held at Oakham School from Friday 6th April
to Sunday 8th April. The theme of the conference is:
Facing the Life-and-Death Issues
Planning for the conference is now at an advanced stage, and details of the key-note speakers and how to book your place will be available on this website from early September.
Facing the Life-and Death Issues
The Merton Collection
Over the years the Society has built up a comprehensive collection of books, journals and volumes of letters by Merton along with a wide range of critical commentaries on Merton's work as well as recordings of talks and conferences given by Merton. The collection is now housed at St Michael's Priory, Willen outside Milton Keynes, where it may be freely consulted by all.
St Michael's Priory website Details about the Collection Link to the Merton Collection
Dates for your diary
Thomas Merton - His Life, Work & Witness
Saturday 2nd December 2017
A Retreat Day for Advent led by Fr Dan Horan in London
This day, being held in conjunction with The World Community for Christian Meditation, will include talks, periods of meditation and a shared act of reflective worship.
The day will be held at The Meditatio Centre, Myddelton Square, London EC1R 1XX
Cost £30, Concessions and Society members £20. Further details
Beyond the Shadow and the Disguise:
The Spritual Maturity of Thomas Merton
Thursday 22nd March 2018
A Study Day led by Fiona Gardner in Salisbury
This day will explore aspects of Merton's mature spirituality, focusing on his epiphany
in front of the Buddhist statues at Polonnaruwa a few days before his death.
Thomas Merton: Prophecy and Renewal
Tuesday 12th - Friday 15th June 2018
A Residential Symposium held at Sant'Anselmo, Rome
Keynote Speakers: Dr Paul M. Pearson & Michael Casey OCSO
By the time of his death in 1968, Thomas Merton’s writings had amply illustrated his expansive interests, experience and faith. As a practicing monk, he also had taken part in the social movements of the time by writing books on the monastic experience and its relationship to peace, nonviolence, racial inclusiveness and world justice. Pope Francis recently named him one of four great Americans. Fifty years after his death, we may well ask: How does Merton’s legacy remain relevant today?
Selected Recent Publications
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From the Monastery to the World: ed Jessie Sandoval - pub. 26 September 2017 |
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The Pocket Thomas Merton ed Robert Inchausti - pub. 20 August 2017 |
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A Course in Christian Mysticism: by Thomas Merton - pub. 15 August 2017 |
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Merton and the Protestant Tradition by William O Pausel - pub. 1 July 2017 |
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The ABCs of Thomas Merton: by Gregory & Eliabeth Ryan - pub. 10 June 2017 |
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Pure Act: The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax by Michael N. McGregor - pub. 1 May 2017 |
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Natural Spirituality, Thomas Merton and Christian Renewal by Kenneth Bragan - pub. 12 April 2017 |
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The Way of the Hermit by Mario I Aguilar - pub. 21 March 2017 |
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The Only Mind Worth Having: by Fiona Gardner - pbk. pub. 29 Nov 2016 |
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Our Centenary Edition of The Merton Journal, Universal Vision, is an enlarged volume of 200 pages with contributors from across Europe. It explores Merton's profound legacy in a unique collection of essays and meditations; and it also includes some of Merton's own newly-discovered student articles from his time at Cambridge University in 1933-34. All members receive copies of the Journal. Further copies are available for £8.99 +P&P. Contact centenary.edition@thomasmertonsociety.org.uk for further details. |
Further recent publications can be found under the 'Publications' tab
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Returning to Reality by Phillip M. Thompson Thomas Merton's Wisdom for a Technological Age Publisher's Details nn |