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Merton's Correspondence with:

DeSutter, Raymond A. DeSutter, Raymond De Sutter, Fr. Robert DeSutter, Robert De Sutter, Fr.

DeSutter, Raymond A., II (formerly Fr. M. Robert, O.C.S.O.)  printer

 
 

Descriptive Summary

Record Group: Section A - Correspondence
Dates of materials: 1957-1961; 2007
Volume: 62 item(s); 136 pg(s)

Scope and Content

This collection of letters, donated by Raymond DeSutter, contain correspondence between Merton and DeSutter while at Gethsemani and notes between Merton and a Fr. Peter of Gethsemani. There is a characteristic form of humor in some of the notes that resembles Merton's clever wordplay in letters to Robert Lax and other close friends.

Biography

Raymond A. DeSutter, II was a novice at Gethsemani under Merton. His name in religion was Fr. Robert and was at Gethsemani Abbey from 1957-1963.

Usage Guidelines and Restrictions

Please click here for general restrictions concerning Merton's correspondence.

Related Information and Links

Other Finding Aids

If the person in correspondence with Merton has full text records in the Merton Center Digital Collections, there will be a numeric link to them below.
   

Series List

Series NumberSeries NameTotal Records
1 Correspondence with Thomas Merton 5
2 Correspondence with family 47
3 Correspondence between DeSutter's father and Gethsemani Abbey monks 8
4 Correspondence with the Merton Center 2

Container List

Click icons for links: ✓="Published | Library Record", ✉="Scanned" | 🗷="Scanned, Viewable Only at Merton Center"

#DateFrom/ToFirst LinesPub ✓Notes
 y/m/dMerton Scan ✉ 
1. Series 1: undated/no/no (#01) HNS from Merton I have Masses for you - today, tomorrow, the 26th, the 29th and Oct 4th. [-] Blessings - in Jesu. Series 1: Correspondence with Thomas Merton... «detailed view»
2. Series 1: undated/no/no (#02) TANS  Peter, Fr. / from Merton O monoculous Rock, your epic of selectin and collectin has busted one if not two of my lungs Series 1: Correspondence with Thomas Merton... [verso: handwritten note- "PLEZ Do NOT disturb Thanx] «detailed view»
3. Series 1: undated/no/no (#03) TANS   Not all the silly stuff wot breezes by in that wide open space between my ears is silly. Series 1: Correspondence with Thomas Merton... [verso: fragment of a mimeograph titled "The New Year of 1959" / recto: seems to contain notes to Fr. Robert, Fr. Mary Peter and to Merton - from Fr. M. Jos(eph?)] «detailed view»
4. Series 1: undated/no/no (#04) TC from Merton Hold over flame for ten seconds. Read between the lines. I had a very good retoin on dat endever Series 1: Correspondence with Thomas Merton... [on one side, Merton uses the name "BUTCH" as author of the letter, on the other, he addresses it from "Sam 'the File'" from "Cell #973 (-) Solitary (-) Sing Sing, Ossning, N.Y."] «detailed view»
5. Series 1: undated/no/no (#05) HCS from Merton God has been a supremely good Father to you and He will necessarily love you more and more as He can Series 1: Correspondence with Thomas Merton... «detailed view»
6. Series 2: 1957/04/13 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. I got your letter today. It was very beautiful. I know that you understand me, and that you want Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
7. Series 2: 1957/05/04 TL[c] to Eva Lou I got your letter today. It was really good to hear from you again. I'll start off this one with Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
8. Series 2: 1957/06/11 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. I couldn't get ahold [sic] of a typewriter, so you'll have to endure my writing(?). Father Master Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
9. Series 2: 1957/06/12 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. It is seven o'clock (P.M.) Tuesday. Grand Silence has just begun - so no more talking!! Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
10. Series 2: 1957/06/22 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Today is another big feast. We had a sermon in Chapter this morning which indicates that Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
11. Series 2: 1957/06/25 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. As I started to write the date above, I couldn't think of numbers, so since our day was filled with Series 2: Correspondence with family... [year could be either 1957 or 1958, the transcript has "Postmarked June 25, 1958" but it is also clearly marked Letter #6 between two letters from 1957] «detailed view»
12. Series 2: 1957/07/03 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Sundays we don't work!! so I have some free time - from 1:30 till 2:55. Thank goodness it's not Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
13. Series 2: 1957/07/05 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Boy this string of feasts has surely been giving us a nice relaxing time- and more food treats too!! Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
14. Series 2: 1957/07/11 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Well, today was the day - at last - I got the habit. What an outfit!! I must describe it for you!! Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
15. Series 2: 1957/07/13? TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. I'll get my scratchy pen out once more. There's not so much new to tell about now - things are Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master" - year could be either 1957 or 1958, the transcript has "Postmarked July 17, 1958" but it is also clearly marked Letter #10 between two letters from July of 1957] «detailed view»
16. Series 2: 1957/07/20 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. I got Mom's letter with Paulie's and Dick's letters enclosed and also one from Freddie this evening. Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
17. Series 2: 1957/07/31 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Just have time for a short note now. I am serving in the Basilica this week for one of our novices Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
18. Series 2: 1957/08/10 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. It looks as if summer had set in at last. The last week the weather has been "tropical" Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
19. Series 2: 1957/08/13 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. We had another week of nice weather, Deo Gratias! Almost every night I had to put cover on. Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
20. Series 2: 1957/08/15 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Today is our big day of the Year. Our Order is dedicated to Mary under this feast. Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
21. Series 2: 1957/08/31 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. It's Saturday morning once more, and since tomorrow is our monthly recollection day, I thought I had Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
22. Series 2: 1957/09/04 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. I fond things out so quick - you know - we receive mail and write for a period of 10 days or so. Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
23. Series 2: 1957/11/08 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Sat. All Souls Day - That is all I got done yesterday! You were right about the mail stack - 41 Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
24. Series 2: 1957/11/12 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Today could well be the beginning of winter here. The sky is overcast, wind gusty, the bare trees Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
25. Series 2: 1957/12/30 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Merry Christmas!! Although you received the greeting a few days late it was uttered on time. Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
26. Series 2: 1958/01/07 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. And a Happy New Year to ya! Ol' sawbones missed the whole celebration - yep, slept right through Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
27. Series 2: 1958/04/07 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. How time does fly! It seems only yesterday that we celebrated the great mystery of Christmas. Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
28. Series 2: 1958/04/12? TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Greetings!! Blessings in Our Lord and His Blessed Mother! and…. Peace!! Peace!! Peace!! Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
29. Series 2: 1958/08/15 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Time does surely fly. It seems but yesterday we were all together laughing at Terry and his toads, Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
30. Series 2: 1958/08/21 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. I found out just now that my turn as reader of the Refectory will be next week. Frater Aelred's Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
31. Series 2: 1958/11/04 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. "Sing a hymn of praise to our God, all you Saints of His, all you that reverentially fear Him, Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
32. Series 2: 1958/11/07 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. As yet there has been no return mail, but Eva's second letter arrived. I'm starting this because Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
33. Series 2: 1958/12/09 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Surprise!!! Special edition of the Gethsemani quarterly…and for a very special Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
34. Series 2: 1958/12/27 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. How many hours, Eva? By the time this gets to you (if I don't diddle around too much) it will Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
35. Series 2: 1959/01/02 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. The return mail has not yet arrived, but the books, and the letter with the Mass stipends has. Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] death of Herman Hanekamp «detailed view»
36. Series 2: 1959/02/02 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. I found out about the wreck during Chapter yesterday morning. Rev. Fr. told us all about the wreck Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
37. Series 2: 1959/04/09 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Today is Thursday already. Dad's 2nd letter was under our napkin last night. I could read Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton in his role as Master of Novices, "Fr. Master"] «detailed view»
38. Series 2: 1959/08/15 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Another year has rolled by - how many is it, Dad - 55?? At any rate I trust it has been a very Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton (Fr. Louis)] «detailed view»
39. Series 2: 1959/08/26 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. That must have been quite a celebration you had to mark #50 and #54?? The pictures dad sent were Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton (Fr. Louis)] «detailed view»
40. Series 2: 1959/11/01 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Gee, it is a beautiful day here today. The trees blush in the zenith of the fall color; sky blue Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton (Fr. Louis)] «detailed view»
41. Series 2: 1959/11/06 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. This letter writing period is shorter than the others, and will end tomorrow at Vespers, so your Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton (Fr. Louis)] «detailed view»
42. Series 2: 1959/11/09 TL[c] to Dick and Katie I was surprised, very happy and grateful to receive your letter and gift last week. I think we all Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
43. Series 2: 1959/11/28 TL[c] to DeSutter, Mrs. Fr. Louis just gave me dad's letter to Fr. de Sales telling about your fall in the back yard. Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton (Fr. Louis)] «detailed view»
44. Series 2: 1959/12/26? TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Kentucky might as well be Florida as far as a white Christmas is concerned. Yesterday, X-mas day, Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
45. Series 2: 1960/01/05 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Just back from dinner where fr. David (reader this week) announced that prayers for the Agony Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
46. Series 2: 1960/04/18 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Happy Easter. We are and have been, [sic] enjoying fine spring weather. The snow here was Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton (Fr. Louis)] «detailed view»
47. Series 2: 1960/04/25? TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. It is Monday already. We are having the regular visitation now, so I'm not sure how long we will Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton (Fr. Louis)] «detailed view»
48. Series 2: 1960/08/15 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. I hope you have a little cooler day to celebrate your birthdays than we have- but just as big Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton (Fr. Louis)] «detailed view»
49. Series 2: 1960/11/01 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Today I think the fall has reached its crescent. As I walked along the little cloister after mixt Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton (Fr. Louis)] «detailed view»
50. Series 2: 1960/11/10 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. What I want to know is what happened to Indiana and Kentucky? I made a sign to Br. Nick who had Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton (Fr. Louis)] «detailed view»
51. Series 2: 1960/12/26 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. We monks may be alone, and as Rev. Fr. often repeats - unknown, unhearlded [sic] unsung, but we Series 2: Correspondence with family... «detailed view»
52. Series 2: 1961/04/02 TL[c] to DeSutter, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Happy Easter! Today surprised us with a light snow. The willows are already green with leaves, Series 2: Correspondence with family... [mentions Merton (Fr. Louis)] «detailed view»
53. Series 3: 1957/12/17 TLS  from Francis de Sales, Fr., O.C.S.O. / to Raymond DeSutter I As I sit here writing you - in the silence that follow the end of a busy day - my thoughts Series 3: Correspondence between DeSutter's father and Geths... «detailed view»
54. Series 3: 1958/01/24 TLS  from Francis de Sales, Fr., O.C.S.O. / to Raymond DeSutter I This will be just a short note as we are in the midst of our Annual Eight Day Retreat - this year it Series 3: Correspondence between DeSutter's father and Geths... «detailed view»
55. Series 3: 1958/02/04 TLS  from Hilary, Fr., O.C.S.O. / to Raymond DeSutter I Time is ticking away and all the while the hands on the clock are reminding me that I'm letting time Series 3: Correspondence between DeSutter's father and Geths... «detailed view»
56. Series 3: 1958/02/27 TLS  from Francis de Sales, Fr., O.C.S.O. / to Raymond DeSutter I It was wonderful to hear from you - this is the first chance I have had to sit down and write you - Series 3: Correspondence between DeSutter's father and Geths... «detailed view»
57. Series 3: 1958/03/29 TLS  from Francis de Sales, Fr., O.C.S.O. / to Raymond DeSutter I Even though we are in Passiontide filled with special graces for each one of us - I do want to sit Series 3: Correspondence between DeSutter's father and Geths... «detailed view»
58. Series 3: 1958/04/14 TLS  from Francis de Sales, Fr., O.C.S.O. / to Raymond DeSutter I The first thing I want to do this morning is sit right down now and write this Easter letter to you Series 3: Correspondence between DeSutter's father and Geths... «detailed view»
59. Series 3: 1958/05/13 TLS  from Francis de Sales, Fr., O.C.S.O. / to Raymond DeSutter I Before leaving to sing Vespers I want to drop you this short note to thank you for your lovely Series 3: Correspondence between DeSutter's father and Geths... «detailed view»
60. Series 3: 1958/06/25 TLS  from Francis de Sales, Fr., O.C.S.O. / to Raymond DeSutter I I haste I [sic] get this note off to you - for your letter was just received as it was mis-sent Series 3: Correspondence between DeSutter's father and Geths... «detailed view»
61. Series 4: 2007/02/06 HLS[x] to Center from DeSutter, Raymond I was recently going through some old papers and found three notes from Fr. Louis. I would be happy Series 4: Correspondence with the Merton Center... «detailed view»
62. Series 4: 2007/03/05 TLS[x] from Center to DeSutter, Raymond On behalf of the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University, thank you for your generous support. Series 4: Correspondence with the Merton Center... «detailed view»
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