Author Speaks on Trappist's Continuing Relevance Washington, D.C., January 30, 2015 (Zenit.org) Kathleen Naab | 555 hits

Author and monk Thomas Merton would have turned 100 years old on Saturday. He continues to be considered a leading Catholic thinker of the modern Church, on themes ranging from spirituality and prayer to social issues.

A new book published by Ave Maria Press considers the Franciscan heart of Thomas Merton.

ZENIT spoke with its author, Franciscan Father Daniel Horan, about his insights into this element of Mertons spirituality.

ZENIT:Who was Thomas Merton?

Father Horan: Thomas Merton was an American Trappist Monk and best-selling author who wrote about topics ranging from contemplation and Christian spirituality, to interreligious and ecumenical dialogue, to topics related to social concerns including civil rights, racism, and violence. He died very suddenly in December 1968, but would have turned 100 years old on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015!

ZENIT:What is his relevance today?

Father Horan: Many of the themes that Merton addressed in his writing continue, unfortunately, to be relevant today: war, violence, injustice, and religious intolerance, among others. His insight, always deeply rooted in the Christian vocation to follow the Gospel, has great potential to speak to the experiences of women and men living in 2015.

For example, in an age shaped so dramatically by threats of terror and violence, oftentimes associated with religion, Mertons lived example of dialogue and genuine quest to understand others offers us a model for living in a pluralistic world. Additionally, at a time in which we are constantly seeking to understand who we are in a rapid-paced digital world, Mertons call to contemplation so as to discover our True Selves in discovering God is a very important and counter-cultural invitation.

ZENIT:How would you recommend someone "getting to know" Merton?

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As Thomas Merton Turns 100, a Look at His 'Franciscan Heart'