Engaging the World with Merton: On Retreat in Tom's Hermitage

by M. Basil Pennington

In this engaging guide, M. Basil Pennington takes us on a retreat with Thomas Merton, in Merton's own Kentucky hermitage, reading his writings on the spiritual life, praying the hours, caring for the birds on the front porch. This is the place where Merton found greater silence and solitude than was possible for him within the walls of the monastery. Pennington fills this eloquent introduction to Merton with photographs taken in and around the hermitage. Engaging the World with Merton enables each of us to have a retreat with Pennington's friend and mentor as our companion, as we seek the kingdom of God within.

132 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Dom M. Basil Pennington O.C.S.O. (1931–2005) was a Trappist monk and priest. He was a leading Roman Catholic spiritual writer, speaker, teacher, and director.

Pennington was an alumnus of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas Angelicum where he obtained a licentiate in Theology in 1959.[1] He also earned a licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Pennington became known internationally as one of the major proponents of the Centering Prayer movement begun at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, during the 1970s.

Reviews

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cool to hear the perspective of a monk who lived with and knew Merton well, and especially cool to hear his reflections while on retreat in Tom's hermitage. Good read!

[Scott Rushing · Rating 3 out of 5]

While on retreat at the hermitage of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Pennington wrote a short journal chronicling his reflections of Merton and the contemplative life.