40th

Events Commemorating the 40th Anniversary
of the Death of Thomas Merton

1915 - 1968

North America

Connecticut
December 10, 2008, at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, West Hartford, CT.
"Merton’s Message for the 21st Century, Exploring Great Themes of Thomas Merton" - A day retreat from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and an evening retreat from 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
The retreats will be led by Brandon Nappi, M.Div.
For further information contact Brandon Nappi - [email protected] or http://www.holyfamilyretreat.org/.

Illinois
December 6, 2008, in the Mundelein Auditorium of Loyola's Lake Shore Campus (6525 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago). 9.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
Remembering Thomas Merton: Contemplative Practice for Today, a one-day retreat to be led by James Finley.
For further information contact Randy Gibbons at the Loyola University's Institute for Pastoral Studies - [email protected] or 312-915-7450.

Illinois
December 10, 2008, in the Union League Club, 65 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago. 12 noon to 1.30 p.m.
"The Spirituality of Thomas Merton" a luncheon presentation featuring Father Robert Barron. Cost: $50.00. Pre-registration is required for attendance.
For further information contact [email protected].

Kentucky
December 10, 2008, at Merton Square in downtown Louisville, at the corner of 4th and Muhammad Ali, Louisville. 9 a.m.
"Prayer for Peace Remembering Merton". Free and open to the public.
A commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the death of Thomas Merton, we will listen to words of Merton that are specifically calling our world to peace, led by students of Merton's thought and representatives from many organizations, and gather interfaith prayers for world peace.
For further information, contact Anne Walter at 583-6419 or [email protected].

Michigan
December 10, 2008, Grand Rapids MI, Dominican Center at Marywood, 7:00 p.m.
Vespers and a lecture on Thomas Merton as Social Critic delivered by Rev. Patrick W. Collins, Ph.D.

New York
December 10, 2008, Corpus Christi Church, 529 West 121st St., New York, N.Y. 10027. 7:00 p.m.
Memorial Mass on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the death of Thomas Merton to be followed by Readings in the Father Ford Auditorium.

North Carolina
December 10, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
The Cathedral of All Souls (Episcopal) in Asheville, North Carolina, will be hosting a lecture by Dr. Bill J. Leonard, Dean of the Wake Forest University Divinity School on "Why Thomas Merton Still Matters." The lecture is supported by the Kay Falk Literary Project. For more information contact Brian Cole - [email protected]

Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development will be hosting a quiet day of prayer and retreat in memory of Thomas Merton on Dec. 10, 2008 from 9:30-3:30, at the Still Waters Retreat Center, outside of Carlisle. Retreat space is limited to 18. Call 717-243-8774 for reservations.

Erie, Pennsylvania
The Lake Erie Merton Celebration. A series of lectures on the life and work of Thomas Merton:
November 30 - Bonding with Readers: Merton’s Voice of Friendship and Intimacy by J. S. Porter.
December 7 - Merton and Jubilee: A Likely Partnership by Mary Anne Rivera.
December 14 - Awakening in Eden: Thomas Merton and the Return to Paradise by Patrick F. O'Connell.
December 21 - Thomas Merton’s Advent “Lessons and Carols” by Bonnie B. Thurston.
All lectures take place in the Waldron Campus Center 219, Gannon University, Erie at 7.00 pm - for further information contact Patrick F. O'Connell - [email protected]

Canada

Montreal, Quebec
December 10th, 2008, 7.30 p.m.
Soirée faisant mémoire des 60 ans de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'Homme et de la vie et l'oeuvre de Thomas Merton.
An evening celebration of the life of Thomas Merton and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Église Saint-Jude, 10 120 d'Auteuil, Montréal. (à quelques pas du métro Sauvé)
Une invitation: Pasto sociale Ahuntsic et Carrefour foi et spiritualité - Pour info: François Godbout : 514-856-0931 / Estelle Drouvin: 514-336-2420.

Vancouver, British Columbia
December 10th, 2008, 7:30 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 2465 Crown Street and West 10th Avenue, Vancouver.
An evening of reflections, poetry and contemplative music to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of Trappist monk Thomas Merton, prophetic American writer and social critic. This event is co-sponsored by the Thomas Merton Society of Canada and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Admission is free. Everyone is welcome! For further information contact: 604-669-2546 or [email protected]

Europe

Götzis, Austria
Wednesday 3rd December, 2008, 7.30 pm at St. Arbogast, Cath. Education Centre, Götzis - Austria, www.arbogast.at
A celebration of Merton's life and work with Werner Gächter, Christian Lebar and the ensemble "En Vox", Angelika Kopf-Lebar.

London, England
Wednesday 10th December, 2008, 7:00 p.m. St. Cyprian's Church, Glentworth Street, London. NW1 6AX. (streetmap)
Commemorating Merton on the 40th Anniversary of Merton's Death. Speakers: Most Rt. Revd. Dr. Rowan Williams and Dr. Paul M. Pearson. How to book.

Metz, France
Mercredi 10 décembre 2008, de 8h.30 à 9h.30 au Grand Seminaire 4, Avenue Jean XXIII, 57 000 Metz.
Présentation biographique, lectures d'oeuvres et hymnes monastiques.
December 10, 2008, from 8:30 to 9:30 AM
Short biography, extracts from Thomas Merton's works and monastic hymns.
For further information, contact Dominique Brulé: [email protected]

Tolentino, Italy
Wednesday 10th December, 2008 at the Cistercian Abbey of Fiastra (http://www.abbaziafiastramonaci.it/convegno.htm).
A conference with Jim Forest, Prof. Matteo Giardini, Dom Jacques Briére (Abbot of Tre Fontane Monastery in Rome), and Father Mario Zaninelli. For more information contact Maurizio Renzini - [email protected]

Tilburg, The Netherlands
Saturday 13th December, 2008. Trappist Abbey of Koningshoeven, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
A conference by Father Bernardus Peeters OCSO, Abbot of Koningshoeven, along with music, readings and prayer with the monastic community. For more information contact Dirk Doms - [email protected]

New Zealand

Christchurch, New Zealand
Wednesday 10th December, 2008, 7.30 p.m. Chapel of Christ's College, Christchurch.
A service of remembrance and thanksgiving. Preacher: The Right Reverend Brian Keogh, OCSO, Abbot of Kopua Abbey in the Hawkes Bay.
For more information: [email protected]

If you are organizing an event for the 40th Anniversary of Thomas Merton's death please send the information to Dr. Paul M. Pearson at the Thomas Merton Center so that it can be added to this website.