Monastic file from Gethsemani Abbey

Scope and Content

This is a file in the correspondence of Thomas Merton under the heading: "Monastic file from Gethsemani Abbey".

Biography

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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

This Record Sub-Group is not divided into Series and is arranged chronologically.

Container List

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.	1939/09/27	TLS from Murphy, John F. X.	This is to certify that I have this day examined the oral cavity of Thomas Merton.		[certification by Merton's dentist in New York concerning state of his teeth] «detailed view»
2.	1939/09/28	TLS from Treleaven, Clifford L.	This is to certify that Mr. Thomas Merton, 35 Perry St., New York, N. Y., reported to me today		[C. L. Treleaven, an optometrist at Columbia University, provided a report of the condition of Merton's vision] «detailed view»
3.	1939/10/02	other Columbia University	OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR Record of Merton, Thomas Admitted Feb. 1935 A.B. Degree Conferred		[contains reproductions of Merton's transcripts from Columbia University for his A.B. degree, conferred February 23, 1938; and for his A.M. degree, conferred February 22, 1939] «detailed view»
4.	1939/10/02	HLS from Mulligan, Edward A.	This is to certify that I have examined Thomas J. Merton today and found him in good physical		[physician's certification for Merton to attend graduate school] «detailed view»
5.	1939/10/09	TLS from Hawkes, H. E.	This certifies that Mr. Thomas Merton was a fine student in Columbia College for three years,		[academic letter of recommendation from H. E. Hawkes, Dean of Columbia College at Columbia University] «detailed view»
6.	1939/10/13	other	Certificate of Baptism + Church of Corpus Christi - NEW YORK - This is to certify that Thomas		[Merton's baptismal certificate / baptism celebrated November 16, 1938 (copy made of document made on the date listed for this item in 1939), Fr. Joseph C. Moore, presider; Edward Rice, sponsor] «detailed view»
7.	1939/11/02	other Ahrendt, Leslie W. A.	CERTIFIED COPY of an ENTRY OF MARRIAGE. Pursuant to the Marriage Acts, 1811 to 1932.		[official copy of the marriage certificate granted to Merton's parents, Owen Merton and Ruth Calvert Jenkins, in London, April 7, 1914 - both were age 27, Owen listed as artist by profession, the marriage was Church of England / Owen's father, Alfred Merton, was listed as a musician; and Ruth's father, Samuel Jenkins, is listed as a publisher] «detailed view»
8.	1939/11/03?	HLS from Knisaly, W. J., Fr.	This is to certify that Thomas Merton, son of Owen Merton and Ruth Jenkins was confirmed at Corpus		[statement that Merton was confirmed May 25, 1939, by the Most Reverend Stephen Donahue at Corpus Christi Church / statement written by (writing is unclear) Fr. W. J. Knisaly (sp?)] «detailed view»
9.	1940/10/16	other Bedell, Charles P.	REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE This is to certify that in accordance with the Selective Service		[Merton's Selective Service card under "Thomas James Merton" with physical description and address in Douglaston, Long Island, New York] «detailed view»
10.	1941/12/09	other First National Bank, Olean, New York	NAME Thomas J. Merton St. Bonaventure's College, St. Bonaventure, N. Y. IN ACCOUNT WITH FIRST		[bank statement - Merton closed this account before leaving for Gethsemani - includes five cancelled checks used to withdraw cash and to pay his uncle, Harold B. Jenkins, a bookshop, and R. J. Collins] «detailed view»
11.	1941/12/09	TLS from Plassmann, Thomas / to Frederic Dunne	The bearer, Thomas J. Merton, has been with us for the space of about two years and he has been		[from Thomas Plassmann, O.F.M., President of St. Bonaventure College in New York; to Dom Frederic M. Dunne, O.C.S.O., Abbot of Gethsemani - letter of recommendation attesting to Merton's high moral character, scholarship, and devotion as a Christian] «detailed view»
12.	1941/12/12 (#01)	TLS from Ford, George / to Merton	It is a pleasure for me to send you a certificate of baptism and Confirmation. I visited Gethsemane		[from Fr. George Barry Ford - encloses certificates of baptism and confirmation - see items 2 and 3 of the same date] «detailed view»
13.	1941/12/12 (#02)	other from Ford, George / to Merton	CHURCH OF CORPUS CHRISTI 535 WEST 121st STREET NEW YORK Name Thomas Merton Date of birth		[certifies Merton's baptism on November 16, 1938] «detailed view»
14.	1941/12/12 (#03)	other from Ford, George / to Merton	Church of Corpus Christi 535 WEST 121st STREET NEW YORK Notification of Confirmation		[certifies Merton's confirmation on May 25, 1939] «detailed view»
15.	1942/01/12	TLS from Walsh, Donatus / to Merton	I am enclosing the papers requested some time ago. I am sorry that you had to wait so long		[Fr. Donatus Walsh, O.F.M., sends Merton papers they had on file about him at the Franciscan Fathers in the Province of the Most Holy Name in New York - he sends "all the papers except those addressed to the Order"] «detailed view»
16.	1942/01/17	other by Diocese of Buffalo, New York	The Chancery Diocese of Buffalo TESTIMONIAL LETTERS FORM FOR RELIGIOUS SUPERIORS		[sent by Dom Frederic Dunne, Abbot of Gethsemani, giving details about Merton's background] «detailed view»
17.	1942/01/24 (#01)	TLS from Kearney, Raymond A. / Frederic Dunne	In accordance with your request of January 13th we are pleased to forward herewith testimonial		[Fr. Raymond A. Kearney, Chancellor of the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, provides a reference for Merton as an aspirant to the novitiate of Gethsemani Abbey] «detailed view»
18.	1942/01/24 (#02)	other Molloy, Thomas	THOMAS EDMUNDUS DEI ET APOSTOLICAE SEDIS GRATIA EPISCOPUS BROOKLYNIENSIS		[statement of recommendation from Thomas Edmund Malloy, Bishop of Brooklyn] «detailed view»
19.	1942/01/27	other Merton	Franciscus Joseph DEI ET APOSTOLICAE SEDIS GRATIA ARCHIEPISCOPUS NEO-EBORACENSIS		[statement of recommendation for religious life from the Vice-Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York] «detailed view»
20.	1942/02/02	other from Plassmann, Thomas	The Chancery Diocese of Buffalo Fifty Franklin Street Buffalo, New York TESTIMONIAL LETTERS		[recommendation for from Fr. Thomas Plassmann, President of St. Bonaventure College in New York] «detailed view»
21.	1942/02/17	other from Duffy, John Aloysius	Joannes Aloisius Dei et Apostolicae Sedis gratia Episcopus Buffalensis Rev.mo. P. Friderico M.		[statement of recommendation for religious life from John Aloysius Duffy, Bishop of Buffalo, New York] «detailed view»
22.	1942/03/03 (#01)	TLS from Barkman, A. L. / to Merton	Your February 17, 1942. Since it appears that you have no immediate intention of filing a petition		[A. L. Barkman, Inspector in Charge, U. S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service in Erie, Pennsylvania - sending to Merton a Declaration of Intention and Immigrant Identification Card] «detailed view»
23.	1942/03/03 (#02)	TLS[x] from Griffith, G. Talbot / Bishop McNulty	J. T. Merton left this school some years before I become Headmaster and therefore anything I say		[from G. Talbot Griffith, Headmaster of Oakham School, to John Francis McNulty, the Bishop of Nottingham] record of Merton's skill in the Classics and modern languages at Oakham School and rumors about his time at Cambridge / ends letter with "he was clearly something of a rebel." «detailed view»
24.	1942/03/12 (#01)	other from McNulty, John	OMNIBUS HAS LITTERAS VISURIS SALUTEM IN DOMINO Cum dilectus in Christo filius Thomas Jacobus		[letter of recommendation for the religious life from John McNulty, Bishop of Nottingham, England] «detailed view»
25.	1942/03/12 (#02)	other from McNulty, John / to Frederic Dunne	Your kind letter referring to Mr. T.J. Merton reached me safely and I at once wrote to the		[letter accompanying recommendation for the religious life from John McNulty, Bishop of Nottingham, England / also enclosed with letter was the message from Merton's former Headmaster from Oakham School, G. Talbot Griffith] «detailed view»
26.	1942/08/04	other Merton, John Paul	I, JOHN PAUL MERTON of 114 Parker Place, Ithaca, New York, being of sound mind and memory do make		[Last will and testament of Thomas Merton's brother, John Paul] «detailed view»
27.	1943/03/23	TLS from Grosset and Dunlap Publishers to Merton	We enclose check drawn to your order on an account carried under the title of A. Donald Grosset,		[check sent to Gethsemani by the sale of some Grosset and Dunlap stock] «detailed view»
28.	1943/05/24	HNS from ? / to Merton	I have had a total of 24 points on around 3 years of Scholastic Philosophy - of which 9 were taken		[note to the "Father Master" at Gethsemani concerning his prior studies in philosophy, theology, and what in the coursework at Gethsemani that he might need to take - written on verso of envelope from M. E. Tobin of Bronx, New York (the date given for this item is its postmark and not the date this note was written - accompanying letter does not exist)] «detailed view»
29.	1943/12/04	HLS from Merton to Frederic Dunne	A longo tempore firmiter firmiusque desideravi ac serio probavi ut aliquando ad religiosum statum		[statement of intention Dom Frederic Dunne to make simple vows] «detailed view»
30.	1943/12/05	HLS from Merton to Frederic Dunne	As the end of my novitiate approaches, I wish to put on record my sincere desire and determination		[statement of intention to Dom Frederic Dunne to make simple vows] «detailed view»
31.	1944/02/17	other[x]	I, Thomas James Merton, in religion frater M. Louis, formerly of St. Bonaventure, State of New York,	✓	[Merton's last will and testiment covering his three years of simple vows (temporary vows), see also "Dunne, Frederick" folder in Section A, and "Memo: Concerning My Will and Testament" in Sub-Section E.1] «detailed view»
32.	1944/03/19	HLS from Merton	Ego, frater Maria Ludovicus, Thomas Jacobus Merton, laicus, promitto stabilitatem meam, conversionem		[Merton's statement of simple vows] «detailed view»
33.	1946/12/19	HLS from Merton to Frederic Dunne	PETITION for Solemn Profession My Dear Rev. Father: As the end of my simple vows approaches		[petition to take his solemn vows as a choir religious in the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappists) - his Solemn Profession was made March 19, 1947] «detailed view»
34.	1947/03/19 (#01)	HN from Merton	Ego frater Maria Ludovicus Merton, acolythus, professus a votis temporariis, promitto stabilitatem	✉	[Merton's statement of Solemn Profession as a Cistercian on March 19, 1947] «detailed view»
35.	1947/03/19 (#02)	HN[x] by Merton	Nos, Frater Maria Fredericus Dunne, Abbas monasterii, quod vulgo dicitur Beatae Mariae de Gethsemani		[copy from a book at Gethsemani with statement by Dom Frederic Dunne, accepting Merton's petition for solemn profession / signed by Dom Frederic, Merton, and other witnesses] «detailed view»
36.	1948/09/29	HLS from Merton to James Fox	A longo tempore firmiter firmiusque desideravi ac serio probavi ut aliquando ad religiosum statum		[statement of intention to Dom James Fox for ordination to the priesthood] «detailed view»
37.	1952/10/08	TLS from Merton to James Fox	PRIVATE VOW. In honor of the simplicity and humility of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God,		[Merton's lifelong vow to never accept an election to abbot or titular prior of Gethsemani Abbey or of any other monastery of the Cistercian Order - signed by Dom James Fox and Merton] «detailed view»
38.	1966/09/08	TLS from Merton to James Fox	I Brother M. Louis Merton, solemnly professed monk of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, having		[vow to spend the rest of his life in solitude as long as health permits - signed by Merton and Dom James Fox] «detailed view»
39.	undated/no/no (#01)	TNS to Dunne, Frederic	Frater Louis (Thomas Jas. Merton) My dear Reverend Father:- For the above frater we need		[list of needed documentation for Merton's birth, baptism, confirmation, etc. - addressed to Dom Frederic Dunne] «detailed view»
40.	undated/no/no (#02)	other			[black and white photograph (head shot) of Thomas Merton, circa 1950] «detailed view»

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