Herein is a large collection of letters spanning most of Merton's time at Gethsemani. Letters between Fox and Merton concern Merton's vocation to the monastery, his constant desires for greater solitude, thoughts about leaving Gethsemani and joining the
Dom James Fox came to Gethsemani in 1927. He was serving as guestmaster when Merton's younger brother, John Paul, visited the monastery, and Fox made arrangements for John Paul's baptism. In 1948, Fox was elected abbot after the death of Dom Frederic Du
Series# | Date | From/To | First Lines | Pub ✓ | Notes |
| y/m/d | Merton | | Scan ✉ | |
Series 9 #1.
«All Series« |
1953/01/29 |
TL[c] from Merton to Barnabas Ahern |
Thank you for your letter of clarification; for, yes, I was concerned. Your confidence is |
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[transcript copy of a letter from Fr. Barnabas Ahern to Merton (see Ahern correspondence file for original), copy likely sent from Fox to Sortais] criticizes Merton's idea of becoming a hermit / suggests a year-long sabbatical doing the work of a Trappist / recommends Dialogues of St. Catherine of Siena
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #2.
«All Series« |
1955/03/06 |
TLS from Sortais, Gabriel |
Vos lettres du 21 et du 28 me sont bien arrivées, et je vous remercie du soin que vous prenez |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #3.
«All Series« |
1955/03/16 (#03) |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
We are writing this separately, in regard to good Father Louis. He is not as cheerful |
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[see also letter of the same date in Series 3 to Sortais]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #4.
«All Series« |
1955/03/28 (#02) |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
Good Father Louis was in to speak with us. He always is quite open. At the present moment now |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #5.
«All Series« |
1955/04/02 |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
We are writing in regard to the book "Silence in Heaven," for which Father Louis has written |
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«detailed view» |
Series 9 #6.
«All Series« |
1955/05/17 |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
We are writing to you in regard to Father Louis. As you know, we had the visitation, which ended |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #7.
«All Series« |
1955/05/25 |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
We are trying to keep you informed about good Father Louis and his difficulties, so you can have |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #8.
«All Series« |
1955/06/30 (#02) |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
We intended to write a longer letter, but the preparations for establishing the foundation in |
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[see similar letter (Xerox) from Series 2 in this file to Dom Louis de Gonzague Le Pennuen, Abbot of Melleray]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #9.
«All Series« |
1955/10/18 |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
As we mentioned in our previous letter, we are writing in regard to our good Father Louis, in whom |
✓ |
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #10.
«All Series« |
1956/09/04 |
TL to Sortais, Gabriel |
We thought it well to write somewhat at length about good Father Louis in this way--separately. |
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«detailed view» |
Series 9 #11.
«All Series« |
1956/11/07 (#01) |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
Good Father Paulinus, who had the dreams of India and used to write to you and Dom Louis typing |
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[encloses eight copied letters (the following # 2-9) concerning Merton - most are quite faded, and some have been transcribed]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #12.
«All Series« |
1956/11/07 (#02) |
TLS[x] from Zilboorg, Gregory |
Your letter is more deeply appreciated than you will ever know. Your directness, and simplicity |
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[enclosed with 1956/November/07 letter from Fox to Sortais - letter originally dated 1956/September/10 to Merton from psychiatrist Dr. Gregory Zilboorg (see original in Series 26 - and see also Zilboorg correspondence file)]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #13.
«All Series« |
1956/11/07 (#03) |
TL[x] from Merton to Gregory Zilboorg |
Your letter was less of a surprise to me than it was to Father Abbot. I rather sensed this would be |
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[enclosed with 1956/November/07 letter from Fox to Sortais - letter originally dated 1956/September/14 from Merton to psychiatrist Dr. Gregory Zilboorg (see also his correspondence file)]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #14.
«All Series« |
1956/11/07 (#04) |
TLS[x] from Merton to Gregory Zilboorg |
Your letter was less of a surprise to me than it was to Father Abbot. I rather sensed this would be |
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[enclosed with 1956/November/07 letter from Fox to Sortais - letter originally dated 1956/September/20 from Merton to psychiatrist Dr. Gregory Zilboorg (see original in Series 26 - and see also Zilboorg correspondence file)]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #15.
«All Series« |
1956/11/07 (#05) |
TAL[x] from Merton to Angélico Surchamp |
Your letter was less of a surprise to me than it was to Father Abbot. I rather sensed this would be |
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[enclosed with 1956/November/07 letter from Fox to Sortais - letter originally dated 1956/September/24 from Merton to Dom Angélico Surchamp (see also his correspondence file)]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #16.
«All Series« |
1956/11/07 (#06) |
TLS[x] from Merton to Claude Jean-Nesmy |
Il y a longtemps que je ne vous ai pas ecrit-- et que je n'ai rien entendu de vous, ce qui est |
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[enclosed with 1956/November/07 letter from Fox to Sortais - letter originally dated 1956/September/24 from Merton to Dom Claude Jean-Nesmy (see also his correspondence file)]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #17.
«All Series« |
1956/11/07 (#07) |
TLS[x] from Merton to Therese Lentoehr |
Some time ago I obtained permission to write for your feast day, and have been waiting to do so |
✓ |
[enclosed with 1956/November/07 letter from Fox to Sortais - letter originally dated 1956/September/25 from Merton to Sr. Therese Lentfoehr (see also her correspondence file)]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #18.
«All Series« |
1956/11/07 (#08) |
TLS[x] from Merton to Robert Giroux |
The pictures are very fine. I like the layouts very much and think the whole thing will be splendid |
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[enclosed with 1956/November/07 letter from Fox to Sortais - letter originally dated 1956/October/04 (day could be 14 or 24 - quite faded) from Merton to Bob Giroux, his editor and publisher (see also his correspondence file)]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #19.
«All Series« |
1956/11/07 (#09) |
TLS[x] from Merton |
Father Abbot returned from New York with the pleasant news that we might expect you down here |
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[enclosed with 1956/November/07 letter from Fox to Sortais - letter originally dated 1956/October/09 from Merton to psychiatrist Dr. Gregory Zilboorg (see also Zilboorg correspondence file)]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #20.
«All Series« |
1958/01/18 |
transcript from Merton to Zilboorg, Gregory |
"For my own part, I think this year has been a very happy one, if by happiness one can understand |
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[titled: "Extracts from a letter to Gregory Zilboorg Jan. 18, 1958"]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #21.
«All Series« |
1958/08/05 |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
We know you are always interested in the affairs of Gethsemani. Knowing this, we are sending you |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #22.
«All Series« |
1958/08/12 |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
Re: The genesis of good Father Louis' latest "dream-project". We made our fifth foundation |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #23.
«All Series« |
1959/08/03 |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
I want to acknowledge your letter of July 18. It was in regard to the remarks of the censor |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #24.
«All Series« |
1959/08/31 (#02) |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
In regard to our good Father Louis, perhaps you may be wondering what has become of him-- |
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«detailed view» |
Series 9 #25.
«All Series« |
1959/08/no? |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
I am writing you on a separate sheet about another matter-- our good Father Louis. |
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[no date but likely August or September of 1959 from context and sent with another letter to Sortais]
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #26.
«All Series« |
1959/11/08 |
TLS from Sortais, Gabriel |
Hier, le R.P. dom Déodat, qui fait fonction de Procureur Généal, m'a remis, en revenant de la S. |
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«detailed view» |
Series 9 #27.
«All Series« |
1959/12/09 (#01) |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
You probably have thought I must have fallen into the Atlantic Ocean and been eaten up |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #28.
«All Series« |
1959/12/09 (#02) |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
Father Louis has rewritten some of his former notes and brought together under the title |
|
«detailed view» |
Series 9 #29.
«All Series« |
1959/12/09 (#03) |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
+ MEMORANDUM RE: Fr. L. Good Father L. was utterly surprised by my sudden departure for Europe |
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«detailed view» |
Series 9 #30.
«All Series« |
1959/12/23 (#02) |
TL[c] to Sortais, Gabriel |
+ RE: Fr. L. During my absence at the Abbatial Blessing at New Clairvaux, good Father Louis |
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«detailed view» |