Merton and Mother Benedicta Brennan discuss a meeting to discuss a reform of women's religious orders, including the founding of "Prayer Houses" among more active orders, the future of contemplatives, and contemplatives involved in action. Proposals are discussed for a meeting in Monroe, Michigan with the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and in California with the Trappist nuns of Redwoods Monastery.
Mother Benedicta Brennan was writing from Monroe, Michigan, a Sister Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Please click here for general restrictions concerning Merton's correspondence.
See also "Breitenbeck, Joseph Matthew" and "Dardenne, Myriam" for more information about reform in the lives of women religious.
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.
This Record Sub-Group is not divided into Series and is arranged chronologically.
Click icons for links: ✓="Published | Library Record", ✉="Scanned" | 🗷="Scanned, Viewable Only at Merton Center"
# | Date | From/To | First Lines | Pub ✓ | Notes |
| y/m/d | Merton | | Scan ✉ | |
1. |
1968/03/11 |
TLS to Merton |
This letter is a "begging letter"--one which I hope you will listen to with an open heart and a deep |
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«detailed view» |
2. |
1968/03/19 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Thanks for your kind letter. I am very interested in the idea of "Houses of Prayer" in active |
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«detailed view» |
3. |
1968/03/30 |
TLS to Merton |
Obviously your letter was a keen disappointment to me. At the risk of importuning the Spirit too |
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«detailed view» |
4. |
1968/04/09 |
TL[c] from Merton |
You have more or less put your finger on the problem.I [sic] have a new young Abbot who is somewhat |
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«detailed view» |
5. |
1968/07/07 |
HLS to Merton |
At least this begging pen of mine will be still for a while and I will not write any more |
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«detailed view» |
6. |
1968/07/11 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Thanks for your kind letter. I think we are working our way towards a solution. I have mentioned |
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«detailed view» |
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