Thomas Merton

Today the Church remembers the life and ministry of Thomas Merton, a monk and contemplative, who was born in 1915 in France, of American parents. His early education was in France (Lycee de Montauban 1927-8) and England (Oakham School, 1929-32; Clare College, Cambridge, 1933-4). He came to America and attended Columbia University, graduated in English in 1938, worked there one year as a teaching assistant, and got his M.A. in 1939. In 1939 he joined the Roman Catholic Church, and taught at St. Bonaventure for the next two years.

 

In 1941, at the age of 27, he entered the Trappist monastery of Gethsemani near Louisville, Kentucky. The Trappists, called more formally Cistercians of the Strict Observance, are a very strict Roman Catholic monastic order, devoted to communal prayer, to private prayer and contemplation, to study, and to manual labor.

 

Twenty seven years after he entered the order, Merton was accidentally electrocuted in Bangkok on this day in 1968, at the age of 54. Fr. Richard Rohr writes: “Merton reacquainted Christianity with its contemplative roots. His writings inspired many, including myself, to return to le point vierge, ‘the virgin point’ of pure poverty and nothingness in God’s presence, which can only be found in the now.”

 

Let us pray: Gracious God, you called your monk Thomas Merton to proclaim your justice out of silence, and moved him in his contemplative writings to perceive and value Christ at work in the faiths of others: Keep us, like him, steadfast in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Please remember the family of Robert Hacker whose father died yesterday, and so we pray: Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Martin William Hacker.  Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Bishop’s Committee Meeting this Sunday during the breakfast hour.

 

The Seaside Seniors Christmas Party will be Thursday, 18 December 2014 starting at 11:00 AM.

 

The Christmas Eve Eucharist will be at 4:00 PM, Rite II.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially those who are alone during this holiday season.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550