Merton discusses with Sr. Mary Luke Tobin some of the events of the Second Vatican Council, changes occurring in religious life (aggiornamento), recorded conferences Merton sends to the Sisters of Loretto, and plans for some of Merton's friends to speak a
Sr. Mary Luke Tobin was former Superior General of the Sisters of Loretto. She writes from the Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky. Sr. Mary Luke was the only American woman who served as an observer to the Second Vatican Council.
Series# | Date | From/To | First Lines | Pub ✓ | Notes |
| y/m/d | Merton | | Scan ✉ | |
Series 1 #1.
«All Series« |
1960/09/24 |
TLS[x] from Merton |
We have here with us at the Abbey for about a year a friend of mine and Professor of Philosophy |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #2.
«All Series« |
1960/10/14 |
TLS[x] from Merton |
I wish to join Dr Walsh in offering you all good wishes and assuring you of special prayers on your |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #3.
«All Series« |
1961/05/09 |
HLS[x] from Merton |
This is to let you know that I have written to Father Danielou telling him that you have offered |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #4.
«All Series« |
1961/05/19 |
TLS[x] from Merton |
Dr Walsh has asked me to say a Mass for all those who are making profession at Loretto on the 31st. |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #5.
«All Series« |
1961/07/10 |
TLS[x] from Merton |
Here is a short piece on Loretto and Gethsemani. As Dan Walsh told you I wanted to write something |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #6.
«All Series« |
1961/07/28 |
TLS[x] from Merton |
Here is the little piece on Gethsemani and Loretto, completed by an extra page which I have added |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #7.
«All Series« |
1961/08/no? |
TNS[x] from Merton |
There is no need to put anything special on the booklet, about the censors. The new regulations |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #8.
«All Series« |
1962/02/02 |
HPCS to Merton |
We saw these Indians in southern Chile - a most interesting country. It is hard to make a choice |
|
[verso: black and white photograph of a woman in traditional garb from Mapuche, Chile]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #9.
«All Series« |
1962/05/29 (#01) |
TLS[x] from Merton |
A quick note to you with this little letter I wrote to the vow class. I shall be there in spirit |
✓ |
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #10.
«All Series« |
1962/05/29 (#02) |
TL[x] from Merton to Novices of the Sisters of Loretto |
The day has come for you to give yourselves completely to Christ Our Lord. |
✓ |
[Cold War Letters #76 - see also "Loretto Sisters' Novices" file - from a purple ditto copy among Tobin's file of Merton letters]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #11.
«All Series« |
1962/08/11 |
TLS[x] from Merton |
Good, I will have Fr Berrigan and Tony over there on the 17th, and wish I could be there too, |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #12.
«All Series« |
1962/08/25 |
HPCS to Merton |
Happy Fest, and a remembrance in prayer. Thank you for Father Berrigan. His compassionate love of |
|
[verso: color print of "Vierge et Enfant" from the Louvre]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #13.
«All Series« |
1963/07/no? |
HPCS to Merton |
What a glorious experience to visit Rome! Pope John looked tired, but read the beatification decree |
|
[verso: color postcard of a skyline in Rome, Italy / no date nor discernable postmark date - seems to be written in the summer of 1963]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #14.
«All Series« |
1963/08/23 |
TALS[x] from Merton |
Thanks so much for your letter and for your kindness in copying out the article. The copies will |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #15.
«All Series« |
1964/07/31? |
TLS[x] from Merton |
I hope you have by now received the tape. I gave it to one of our people to bring over on Saturday, |
|
[Merton includes on the stationery some cut-out block letters spelling: "THE MONKS. MODERN MOVING... WITH OLD-FASHIONED CARE"]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #16.
«All Series« |
1964/08/15 |
TL[c] from Merton |
I don't know if you have gone to Rome yet, but in any case someone will know what to do about |
✓ |
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #17.
«All Series« |
1964/08/20 |
TALS to Merton |
Thank you for your letter and for the mimeographed articles which arrived yesterday. These are |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #18.
«All Series« |
1964/09/03 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Thanks for your letter of August 20th. And first of all, I would like very much to see you before |
✓ |
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #19.
«All Series« |
1964/11/01 |
TL[c] from Merton |
It was not really a surprise to me that you were chosen as observer from the better half |
✓ |
[dated "All Saints, 1964"]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #20.
«All Series« |
1964/11/06 |
HPCS to Merton |
We had a very nice visit with the Gethsemani students at the House of Studies here. I have also |
|
[verso: color photograph of a painting inside the Catacombs in Rome, Italy]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #21.
«All Series« |
1964/12/21 |
TL[c] from Merton |
It was great having you here, and we all enjoyed the talk very much. And profited by it too. |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #22.
«All Series« |
1964/12/23 |
TLS to Merton |
Thank you for your note received today. I am very sure the art department at Webster College would |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #23.
«All Series« |
1965/03/01 |
TLS to Merton |
I have a letter from Sister Marie de Lourdes, S.U., who will arrive in Louisville on March 14. |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #24.
«All Series« |
1965/05/04 |
TALS to Merton |
Thank you for your note. I'm just as glad I couldn't come on the fourth. I am sending you |
|
[verso: handwritten note by Merton]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #25.
«All Series« |
1965/05/10 |
HLS to Merton |
Thursday (13th) at 2p.m. will be fine with me. I'm looking forward to discussing the document |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #26.
«All Series« |
1965/07/07 |
TL[c] from Merton |
It was nice to see some Loretto bonnets up in the balcony at Mass today. But that is not what I am |
✓ |
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #27.
«All Series« |
1965/07/12 |
TALS to Merton |
I've sent a note to Sister Deborah at Webster to ask her to send you some details on our anniversary |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #28.
«All Series« |
1965/07/18 |
TL[c] from Merton |
I have just received the final ok about moving into the hermitage, which will be some time next |
✓ |
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #29.
«All Series« |
1965/07/20 |
TALS to Merton |
I am very grateful to learn from the Abbot's letter that you will be able to see us for a short time |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #30.
«All Series« |
1965/08/03 |
HLS[x] from Merton |
I asked Fr Abbot about stopping by at Loretto and he did not want it - as I suppose I could have |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #31.
«All Series« |
1965/12/18 |
HLS[x] from Merton |
Welcome home! I bet you are tired and happy. It has been great fun to be alive in these days |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #32.
«All Series« |
1966/01/03 |
TLS[x] from Merton |
I am a great relic man. I realize I need to have friends around in the hermitage. |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #33.
«All Series« |
1966/09/06 |
HCS to Merton |
Just a note of enthusiastic appreciation for "Conjectures-" Dan Walsh kindly let me read |
|
[verso: color print of a Russian icon of the Trinity]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #34.
«All Series« |
1967/03/30 |
HPCS to Merton |
Beautiful Country in the northwest - Douglas firs incredibly high. The straits are on both sides |
|
[postcard from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada - verso: color photograph of "Mounties": "A troop of the world famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police attending the raising of the new flag."]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #35.
«All Series« |
1967/08/02 |
HCS to Merton |
How good of you to help us out as you have - Thanks so very much from all of us. |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #36.
«All Series« |
1967/08/14 |
TLS[x] from Merton |
I hope the General Chapter went along all right. I have thought of you often. And also tomorrow |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #37.
«All Series« |
1967/11/08 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Plans have finally matured for the Contemplative Superiors to come down here, but as it is a very |
✓ |
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #38.
«All Series« |
1967/12/02 |
TL[c] from Merton |
I really appreciate the kindness of the sisters in going to Louisville to pick up my gang |
✓ |
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #39.
«All Series« |
1967/12/09 |
HNS to Merton |
This Corita-like message is to say thanks for a wonderful sharing this past week. How nice that |
|
[message on a note shaped like a Christmas stocking]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #40.
«All Series« |
1968/03/22 (#01) |
TLS to Merton |
I have written a note to Reverend Father asking permission to visit you at 2:00 p.m. on March 28. |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #41.
«All Series« |
1968/03/22 (#02) |
TLS to Burns, Flavian |
May I extend to you my very best wishes on the occasion of your Blessing. May the Lord grant you |
|
[to Dom Flavian Burns, Abbot of Gethsemani Abbey]
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #42.
«All Series« |
1968/05/01 (#01) |
TL[c] from Merton |
I'm getting this back to you promptly as I am supposed to leave for California Monday. Good idea |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #43.
«All Series« |
1968/05/01 (#02) |
HLS to Merton |
We're so happy to have this in typed form. Only a small part is not here - something lost |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #44.
«All Series« |
1968/05/21 |
HCS to Merton |
All set for the meeting here on Sunday. Sister Mary Francis will meet the three coming |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 1 #45.
«All Series« |
1968/06/04 |
HCS to Merton |
Last week was a sheer joy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart (surely from somewhere |
|
«detailed view» |