(January 31, 1915 - December 10, 1968) was an American Catholic writer and mystic. I cannot know for certain where it will end. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it. Prayer of Abandonment (Thomas Merton's Prayer That Anyone Can Pray) "My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. Needless to say, when I pulled into Canandaigua at 1PM, it was not Rochester. VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY Vancouver, BC Dr. Christopher Pramuk Thomas Merton: transforming loneliness into solitude, the source of our compassion By Lisa Salazar, British Columbia, Canada. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Nor do I really know myself, And that fact that I think I am following Your will Does not mean that I am actually doing so. The Surrender Novena is a nine-day prayer that asks Jesus to "take care of everything." It was written by Servant of God Dolindo Ruotolo, an Italian priest, stigmatist, and for a time, Saint Pio's spiritual director. I plumbed new depths of personal stubbornness and I never went back to the abbey by bicycle. 159 Copy quote. Thomas Merton was born in Prades, France, to artists, Ruth and Owen Merton. The prayer below from theologian and Trappist monk Thomas Merton (1915-1968) as found in his book, Thoughts in Solitude (1958) is a beautiful reminder of this truth, and a much-needed, soothing remedy for anxious souls during this unprecedented time. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. where it will end. Therefore, enter your heart. Merton's Prayer of Abandonment Arenal Volcano I made this photo from the "Hanging Bridges" in the area in 2010. I do not see the road ahead of me. Louis, was born on 31 January 1915 in Prades, southern France. I cannot know for certain where it will end.. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. does not mean I am actually doing so. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I first read him when I was 15 or 16 years old. But by desiring you are made large enough, so that, when there comes what you should see, you may be filled, Saint Augustine (On the First Letter of John, 4). Took a day off one summer, and planned a little bicycle pilgrimage. 4 0 obj My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. Such clever work and exposure! I limped back home by 6:30PM, thoroughly chastened by heat and error and a hundred miles of pedalling. Thomas Merton prayers for discernment, surrender, and guidance It costs nothing to pray about a situation you find daunting or pressing in your life. and all-lovable will without any regard for mine. Within. I had the privilege of spending a few days at the Abbey of Gethsemene, Trappist, KY, and spent some time praying at his grave. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Get Sojourners delivered straight to your inbox. Now it is without question that the scripture that had some kind of inspiration to this prayer was the 23. Trent T. Gilliss was the founding executive editor of On Being Studios. The repeated word desire is the core of the prayer. endobj Should I speak up about an injustice I am witnessing? Such a game changer in so many ways Thomas Merton (2011). Jeremy, just came across thisbeautiful! The Merton Prayer (Prayer of Abandonment) MERTON: PRAYER OF ABANDONMENT. Nor do I really know myself,and that I think I am following your willdoes not mean I am actually doing so. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Catholic Sensibility is a personal blog by a Catholic layperson with comments and occasional other writings by Catholics and non-Catholics. for you will never leave me My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Gut-wrenchingly honest prayer by Thomas Merton requires authenticity in our relationship with God. Advent Prayer. Thomas Merton. Thomas Merton was one of the great spiritual masters: a Trappist monk, profound mystic, and brilliant writer. Nor do I really know myself, and that I think I am following your will does not mean I am actually doing so. Replenishment and invigoration in your inbox. +++++ My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. 651-641-3473. Thomas Merton's Prayer That Anyone Can Pray December 28, 2014 "It's no stretch of the imagination to say that Thomas Merton changed my life." Thomas Merton is one of those figures in modern life that has had a profound impact on so many Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Whatever you do, I will thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. Twitter Facebook Loading. . Keep up the fantastic works guys Ive added you guys to my own blogroll. But I believe Required fields are marked *. His American-born mother, Ruth Jenkins, died in 1921 when Thomas was only six. Thanks! Please fill out the form below, and a member of our online publication team will receive your message. That could have led me in a number of directions from marriage and parenthood to starting a non-profit to becoming a missionary. It is during times such as these, however, when our natural, human instinct is to fear, that the truth of Gods word becomes increasingly important to hold fast to, laying it over every lie or thought that tries to take us captive. His thinking developed throughout his twenty-seven years of religious life, with issues of social justice and interest in Eastern spirituality becoming prominent in his later work. Prayers for Guidance and Discernment Prayer by Thomas Merton O Lord God, I have no idea where I am going, I do not see the road ahead of me, I cannot know for certain where it will end. While the author was a Trappist Monk, the prayer reflects several themes of Augustinian Spirituality. How do I handle that difficult relationship? 3 0 obj And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it. w !1AQaq"2B #3Rbr We value your feedback on the articles we post. Who was the monk who wrote, "I don't always know the right thing to do, Lord, but I think the fact that I want to please you pleases you.. I hopeI will never do anythingapart from that desire.And I know if I do thisyou will lead me by the right roadthough I may know nothing about it. I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. It may cause errors in submitting the form. I had been to the Genesee Abbey many times by car, and was sure I could find the way there and back, and get it done before the sun got too high. But I believe that the . -H. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Merton's Call for Racial JusticeFriday, November 27, 2020. William Patrick Casey, C.P.M. And thankfully, it was mostly downhill once I got back to my favorite turn. Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk and bestselling author of such beloved works as The Seven Storey Mountain and New Seeds of Contemplation. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.*. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will. All rights reserved. /Width 625 The prayer of Thomas Merton is a great way to help you in your meditations and discernment when faced with life dilemmas. Thats it. He inspired men and women from all walks of life with his dedication to prayer and contemplation. A Prayer for Honoring Gods Presence in Others, Trust in the Slow Work of God by Teilhard de Chardin, The Dynamics of Sanctifying Grace and Sinful Tendencies, https://augustinianspirituality.org/pray/#Augustinian-Prayers, Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. In today's reflection, Deacon Jeff shares how "The Prayer of Abandonment" by Thomas Merton helps him when he is struggling with decisions or when things just don't seem to be going as intended. How do I know I am called to be an Augustinian Friar for life? About 11:15AM, I headed for home. This question comes up in a number of life situations. I assumed that not only had the town planners put the sign on the wrong side of the road, but that some screwball had turned the marker around to fool people. By submitting this form, you consent to your comment being featured in our Letters section. Did I learn anything? It is not through feet or wings but by desire that we come to God. I hope I will never do anything apart from that desire. I do not see the road ahead of me. My discernment to religious life began with a desire to use the gifts and talents I was given through my life experience, education, and career for something bigger than myself. Thomas Merton was born in 1915, to parents living in the French Pyrenees. [| Kp)A297Y"%pz9#Zh\)Jz wqr9efn9 tCc>r|r@u],K3zu>?OZ@2fOXzf3O^:{ S6'BL]BrwvcF(9)r Jzwu*Mb?F"y {#;uKA'#ckPFIf5l5erfi9?:jH9v rsJBr 9 vY2t;NyL:w4*IBI>=;WDb1n#wSR$G; (s7wn1qr8zSCfREUF=X6 Worry, Not: Sren Kierkegaard on What We Can Learn from the Birds of the Air and Lilies of the Field, Thomas Merton on the Necessity of Solitude for a Healthy Society, Claiming Responsibility for Our Lives: Thomas Merton on Discovering Meaning and Purpose Within, Be Still: The Desert Fathers on the Value of Solitude, Maria Shriver on the Courage to Recreate Our Lives, I Love the Word Impossible: Ann Kiemel on Our Giant of a God. She offers compelling lessons on joining inner life with life in the workplace and advice on spiritual practice with a mobile device. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. After graduating from college, I worked as a telemarketer for my college alma mater. Bought a quart of orange juice at a convenience store, and after downing the container in about as much time as you can say the 117th Psalm, I assessed my new reality. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude (Farrar, Straus, Giroux Publishing, 1956, 1958, 2009) p. 79. "The desert is the home of despair," Merton writes. As Thomas Merton said, "My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. >> I cannot know for certain where it will end. I do not see the road ahead of me. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. We intrpet that to mean know what your preaching and teaching and live it. While studying at Columbia University in New York, Merton converted to Catholicism and eventually became a monk at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky. Thomas Merton is one of those figures in modern life that has had a profound impact on so many Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Quietism is the name given (especially in Roman Catholic theology) to a set of contemplative practices that rose in popularity in France, Italy, and Spain during the late 1670s and 1680s, particularly associated with the writings of the Spanish mystic Miguel de Molinos (and subsequently Franois Malaval and Madame Guyon), and which were condemned as heresy by Pope Innocent XI in the papal . I liked your post. apart from that desire. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Act of abandonment - Manuscripts and Publications Merton Center Manuscripts: 'Act of abandonment' Subjects List This manuscript has no associated subjects. /Subtype /Image Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.. Traditionally, this little prayer has been prayed 15 times a day beginning on November 30 (feast of St. Andrew the Apostle) and continuing until Christmas. The Lenten prayer for this week is written by Trappist monk Thomas Merton. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope." ~ Thomas Merton. I cannot know for certain where it will end. 1 0 obj /SMask /None>> And it is not by some physical bond or iron chain that we are bound to earth. Click hereto sign up for email updates or update your address. Martin chose to recite this passage from Thoughts in Solitude, which he says is a prayer everyone can pray: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. Thomas Merton. (Paulinus of Nola) When I was in college 5 or 6 years ago my mentor passed this poem on to me and had me pray it every nightthose words are so strong when youre feeling a little lostthanks for the reminder! RESTRICTIONS: Please click here for general restrictions concerning Merton's manuscripts. It is the most popular volcano because of its nearly perfect conical shape. Should I take that next promotion? Thomas Merton's Prayer of Abandonment. It is therefore in exploring our deepest desires (rather than suppressing them) and bringing them to prayer that we come face to face with the God who is already within. I venerate it; The Thomas Merton Studies Center at Bellarmine College in Louisville, Kentucky, contains over 10,000 items related to Merton and some 3,000 of his manuscripts. By using sojo.net you agree to our Privacy Policy. The prayer stems from a question we have all asked at one point or another on our Christian journey: How do we know for sure we are following Gods will? I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.. James Martin, our podcast guest from last week, tells it . ", Zen and Christianity: Points of Convergence (Part II), Zen and Christianity: Points of Convergence (Part I), A Zen Life: Honoring Sr. Elaine Macinnes Roshi, Practicing Across Traditions: Buddhist-Christian Dual Belonging. Like many, Martin started out by reading Mertons famous autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain. This four-page resource features excerpts from Thomas Merton's essay, "Blessed are the Meek: The Christian Roots of Nonviolence." A prayer and discussion questions are included. Let only your will be done in me, as in all your creatures. I cannot know for certain where it will end. When we orient our desires towards God rather than our own selfish ambitions, I believe that we like Merton can gain some assurance that our desire to please God does in fact please God and opens our hearts to allow God to lead us down the right path even if the path seems foggy and uncertain. I love what you guys are up too. In this prayer Merton acknowledges the fogginess of discernment and concludes even a desire to follow Gods will does not mean he actually is: and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean I am actually doing so. In these wildly unsettling and uncertain times, as the world anxiously waits for the COVID-19 pandemic to pass, fear has become a dominant, prevailing force, swiftly wreaking havoc on our inner beings and upending any sense of normalcy weve managed to hold onto. SUFFERING: To Know The Cross, by Thomas Merton Posted on February 19, 2016 From No Man Is An Island I pray that we may be found worthy to be cursed, censured, and ground down, and even put to death in the name of Jesus Christ, so long as Christ himself is not put to death in us. . Thomas Merton, monk, mystic, poet, social critic, interspiritual pioneer. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.. Please do not include any non-text characters, such as emojis or other non-standard content, into your submission. And I hope I have that desire Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. Thomas merton prayer of abandonment Contemplative PrayerIThe climate in which monastic prayer flowers is that of the desert,9 where the comfort of man is absent, where the secure routines of man's city offer no support, and where prayer must be sustained by God in the purity of faith. Easy to say, but not always easy to live. The flipside, he taught, is also true: "The . and one little green roadsign going the other way read Geneseo 12, which would have meant I was approximately that many miles off course. I hope you pray this pray as I will or at least remember it. I can only entrust my life to God, and hope that he will turn things around. Both of his parents were deceased by the time Merton was a young teen and he eventually moved to his grandparents' home in the United States to finish . Is Mertons prayer of abandonment copy-wtited? /CA 1.0 But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. 218 Copy quote. /Title ( T h o m a s m e r t o n p r a y e r o f a b a n d o n m e n t) What you desire, however, you dont yet see. A Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky, he was a poet, social activist, and student of comparative religion. Wisdom Practices and Digital Retreats (Coming in 2023). We make no particular claims to have the completeness of a Roman Catholic expression of Christianity. Listen to Merton's vision of the Contemplative Life. It is from from Thoughts in Solitude (1958). Prayer and love are really learned in the hour when prayer becomes impossible and your heart turns to stone. I am presently undergoing major changes in my life, and I am still in the dark as to what to do next. does in fact please you. The prayer, I think, hits to the core of the way I have felt for quite some time and to the core of how many people feel. On May 26, 1949, he was ordained to the Catholic priesthood and given the name "Father Louis". Thomas Merton $7.49 - $39.59. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. C q" I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. James Martin, our podcast guest from last week, tells it, he was working in finance when one day he came home and began watching a documentary about the Trappist monk on public television. Reading Mertons famous autobiography, the prayer of Abandonment, for you are commenting your. 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