Most letters in this file concern matters of vocational discernment regarding Jim Hinchey's thoughts about becoming a Trappist, other orders considered, and his decision to join the Congregation of the Oratory.
James Hinchey was a novice at Gethsemani from February of 1958 to March of 1959. It seems he had started at St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas, before entry at Gethsemani and returned there to complete his degree. He went on to study at Duquesne University and University of Wisconsin for graduate studies. He joined the Oratorians and was ordained a priest in 1976.
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. |
1956/11/28? |
other from Merton |
Mr. James Hinchey [-] Saint Benedict's College [-] Atchison, Kansas |
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[Hinchey is at St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas / no letter but original envelope was donated in 2014]
«detailed view» |
| 2. |
1957/10/03 |
TLS[x] from Merton |
Thanks for your letter. I have looked over the tests, and there does not seem to be any remaining |
|
«detailed view» |
| 3. |
1957/11/25 |
HLS[x] from Merton |
Your letter reached me in the hospital. I have had a small operation. I was glad to hear from you |
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[Hinchey is at St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas]
«detailed view» |
| 4. |
1958/02/01 |
TLS from Merton |
It was good to hear from you. I am glad the studies have gone well, and that in spite of ups |
|
[Hinchey is in Detroit, Michigan]
«detailed view» |
| 5. |
1958/12/no? |
TC from Merton |
Greetings at Christmas 1958 [-] FR. LOUIS MERTON AND THE NOVICES |
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[printed card with not annotations / verso labelled, "From a woodcut by Gerhard Marcks for the hand-press edition of Thomas Merton's 'The Tower of Babel,' printed for New Directions by R. von Sichowsky in Hamburg, German."]
«detailed view» |
| 6. |
1959/04/23 |
TLS from Merton |
The more I think of it the more I believe you would be likely to turn out like Fr. Sebastian if you |
|
[Hinchey is in Detroit, Michigan]
«detailed view» |
| 7. |
1959/06/25 |
TLS from Merton |
It is too bad I wasn't here when you called the other day. But I guess Fr Tarcisius handled it all |
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[Hinchey is in Detroit, Michigan]
«detailed view» |
| 8. |
1959/09/19 |
TLS from Merton |
Well, you really had a time didn't you. Now you see him, now you don't. So at any rate stay put |
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[Hinchey is at St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas / copy of envelope from William Shannon]
«detailed view» |
| 9. |
1959/10/17 |
TLS from Merton |
Thanks for your letter and for that amazing card. I got out of the hospital in one piece and things |
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[Hinchey is at St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas]
«detailed view» |
| 10. |
1959/12/24 |
HLS[x] from Merton |
Here are the presents you asked us to select for you - may you be blessed abundantly in the coming |
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[Hinchey is in Detroit, Michigan]
«detailed view» |
| 11. |
1960/01/18 |
TLS from Merton |
Retreat begins this evening and I just have time for a brief note to thank you for the book. |
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«detailed view» |
| 12. |
1960/01/22 |
TLS from Merton |
Just a word, can't write more because they are blasting away at a piece of the grand parlor with |
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[Hinchey is at St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas]
«detailed view» |
| 13. |
1961/05/19 |
TALS from Merton |
It was good to get some news from you indirectly and to learn that graduation was coming up. |
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[Hinchey is at St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas]
«detailed view» |
| 14. |
1963/03/01? |
HLS[x] from Merton |
Yes I got your card and [2 indecipherable words..] for my birthday - many thanks for both - |
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[Hinchey is in Pittsburgh, PA - letter is a photocopy, but original envelope was donated in 2014 - date is from postmark]
«detailed view» |
| 15. |
1988/11/07 (#01) |
HLS to Shannon, William |
Here are copies of the Merton letters I spoke to you about when we talked on the telephone this |
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[Hinchey writes as Co-Rector of St. James Cathedral-Basilica in Brooklyn, New York]
«detailed view» |
| 16. |
1988/11/07 (#02) |
other |
JAMES F. HINCHEY, C.O. - Ordained in 1976 as an alumnus of Pope John XXIII National |
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[short biographical sketch of Hinchey appearing in Pontifex, a newsletter of the Brooklyn Oratorian Fathers]
«detailed view» |
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