Merton’s Influence

To the Editor:

I cannot thank you enough for the beautiful and excellent article by Mary Ann Poust about the Thomas Merton Centennial celebration that our Corpus Christi Chapter held on Jan. 31, his 100th birthday (CNY, Feb. 5). His importance as a continuing influence on Catholic critical thinking concerning the spiritual and social issues of our day was acknowledged by the more than 200 people who attended.

Your extended coverage of this important Catholic thinker of the 20th century, and of the 21st century, marks how lively his influence is. His valuable spiritual counsel continues to be an inspiration to young people and all interested in building up the spiritual underpinnings of their activities.

Catholic New York is an important source of information to the Merton Society’s many friends and colleagues in the Church. We are ever grateful for your help in letting the people of the archdiocese know of this event in the life of our chapter.

Our chapter will be continuing to mark this centennial. Our next speaker, on April 25, is Jim Forest, who knew Father Merton and was inspired to become the peace advocate he is because of Merton’s influence

Brenda Fitch Fairaday

Manhattan

The writer is director of the Corpus Christi Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society.