An icon of Thomas Merton by Brother Robert Lentz, OFM

Forty-four years ago, on December 10, 1968, Thomas Merton, the Trappist monk, poet, author, peacemaker, died in Bangkok.  Thinking gratefully of him tonight, I remember his great love for St. Therese of Lisieux.  He often acknowledged her profound influence on his life.  For the anniversary of his death, I share these lines from Merton:

 In reading the story of this saint it is not possible to doubt from the very first word about her parents that she was a totally extraordinary saint, more extraordinary than even Saint John of the Cross or Saint Theresa of Avila, who rejoice in heaven in her, their little sister's immense simplicity and love which includes also their love and their wisdom, because all their love and wisdom came from God and was all His.

 From "Run to the Mountain, The Journal of Thomas Merton, Vol. I, 1939-1941," ed. Patrick Hart, O.C.S.O.  San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1996.

 The icon of Thomas Merton is available at