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In 1967, one year before his death, Merton established the Merton Legacy Trust, naming Bellarmine College as the repository of his manuscripts, letters, journals, tapes, drawings, photographs, and memorabilia. Two years later, in October 1969, the College established the Thomas Merton Center, with the Collection as its focal point. The Center serves as a regional, national, and international resource for scholarship and inquiry on Merton and his works and also on the ideas he promoted: contemplative life, spirituality, ecumenism, East-West relations, personal and corporate inner work, peace, and social justice. The Merton Center regularly sponsors courses, lectures, retreats, seminars, Road Scholar [elderhostel], and exhibits for scholars, students, and the general public.

Correspondence between Thomas Merton and people filed under "A" (typically those with a surname beginning with the letter "A").

This records subgroup contains Thomas Merton's correspondence with the Very Reverend Eric Symes Abbot.

First lines: "C'est un véritable ami qui me parle, comme vous l'avez fait, de ce qui"...

This is a file in the correspondence of Thomas Merton under the heading: "Accioly, Inácio, Dom, O.S.B.".

This is a file in the correspondence of Thomas Merton under the heading: "Aelred, Fr., S.S.F.".

First lines: "As some token of gratitude for the […] on mystical"... Contents index: Fr. [Arthur MacDonald] Allchin / Professor Evans of London University.

First lines: "I thank you in anticipation for the book and magazine you have sent. They will, I am sure, be very"... Contents index: Lancelot Andrews / Lady Julian / the Cloud in relation to Zen / monastic renewal and article published by the Blackfriars.

This is a file in the correspondence of Thomas Merton under the heading: "Aelred, M., Fr., O.C.S.O.".

First lines: "I do not mean to start a correspondence with you, for nothing can be more depressing than an"... Contents index: desire to publish an article by Merton in Gannon College magazine and plans for publishing his own work.

First lines: "Thanks for your letter. About publication of the article in the "Laureate"-- you understand that it"... Contents index: response to publishing questions.

First lines: "«I». I have read thus far the following books written by you: 1) «The Seven Storey»"... Contents index: discussed books read and opinions on them, asks advice on further reading, and sends Merton two stories and a book for review.

First lines: "Con un telegramma di stamane Le annunziavo la spedizione per posta aerea della richiesta prefazione"...

First lines: "This is just a note to thank you for the copy of Monastic Orientation which you were so kind to send"... Contents index: suggests introducing students to the "De Virtutibus in the Secunda Secundae" and recommends L. Bouyer's «La Bible et L'Evangile».

First lines: "This is a shot in the dark - probably completely unwarranted. But I know you understand, and will"... Contents index: sees hints that Merton has an idea of leaving Gethsemani and argues extensively that it will undermine his previous work and cause critics to write him off.

First lines: "Before Ash Wednesday descends upon us I want to thank you for your last letter."... Contents index: [two carbon copy transcripts of the letter filed in Dom James Fox's file concerning Merton and the critical article of him by Dom Aelred Graham, "A Modern Man in Reverse" / see also "Graham, Aelred" correspondence file, Series 2 for this file].

First lines: "We received your charming letter of February 14. I am answering for good Father Louis."... Contents index: [copy of a letter filed in Dom James Fox's file concerning the Merton and the critical article of him by Dom Aelred Graham, "A Modern Man in Reverse" / see also "Graham, Aelred" correspondence file, Series 2].

First lines: "It was ever so good to receive your letter of October 19th, and to learn that the struggle still"... Contents index: addresses Merton's complaints of Gethsemani and its artificiality / authorship of Deutero-Isaiah / Jeremias / "parallels between the Bible and extra-biblical sources / suggestions for conference on saintly priest / Soloviev.

First lines: "The letter has been and will be my address from the beginning of June until the end of November."... Contents index: moved to New Jersey to work as chairman of the board of [Biblical] translators / working on Epistles / editorial policy / not like Knox's translation.

First lines: "I have thought of you many a time since my last letter - and always with a prayer. Please do"... Contents index: American Passionists trip to Assisi / studying Ugaritic language / Dom Jean-Baptiste Porion [quoted in letter as "Jean Baptist Poirron"] / recommends Bl. Placid Riccordi for work as Master of Novices.

In this short exchange of letters, Merton discusses with Aiken the legitimacy of mystical states induced by psychedelic drugs.

First lines: "I want to express my appreciation of your paper. A NEW CHRISTIAN CONSCIOUSNESS, as excerpted in THE"... Contents index: practicing vs. theoretical mystics / Prof. Asrani of India - the "Inner Kingdom" and Sahaj State / response to Merton's statement that drugs could be a substitute for self-transcendence or love / Aiken sees LSD as useful.

First lines: "Thanks for your interesting letter of July 12. As you may imagine, I am having a hard time keeping"... Contents index: correspondence with Aldous Huxley and Gerald Heard about drugs / "you are right in saying that 'careful and occasional use' of psychedelics can be quite helpful." / Peyote as a way to "sacramentally" connect with Indians / latter day messianic cults.

First lines: "I hope that I have not transgressed your wishes in showing your letter at Wisques. Dom Doyère asked"... Contents index: [no date but seems to fall between 1964/09/11 and 1964/09/22 letters] "Monk in Diaspora".

First lines: "It has been good to hear from you and to see the postcards with which you share your trip with me."... Contents index: wanted to see Silos, but not Valle de los caidos / Editorial Guadarrama / «Seeds of Destruction».

First lines: "Remembering you here! Yugoslavia difficult,- Egypt: land and monuments outstanding. The rest"... Contents index: [postcard of the ruins of Qumran] going next to Israel, Turkey and Greece.

This is a file in the correspondence of Thomas Merton under the heading: "Albert of the Blessed Sacrament, Fr., O.C.D.".

First lines: "Tout ce qui touche B.Pasternak me touche et intéresse Ainsi, sans en faire un système, je lis"... Contents index: Boris Pasternak / Docteur Jivago (Doctor Zhivago) "Le Decteur du Vivant".

First lines: "Tout ce qui touche B.Pasternak me touche et m'intéresse. Ainsi, sans en faire un système, je lis"... Contents index: no date, but seems to be a draft of the 1960/11/18 letter.

First lines: "I have never met you Father, but after reading many of your books I have learned to respect and"... Contents index: ask Merton for advice about what her Benedictine sisters could do as an apostolate besides their current role in teaching.

First lines: "I am in the middle of the semi-hopeless task of trying to get through the piled up mail of the last"... Contents index: carbon copy of 1967/10/16 letter.

First lines: "I received your letter requesting to use letter I wrote to Father Louis Merton in the Merton Study"... Contents index: permissions request.

First lines: "We have two additional replies to our form letter to the correspondents of Thomas Merton. 1."... Contents index: permissions for Sr. Alice / letter from Ethel Burns and Columbia medal of excellence, Christmas letters, and autographed books.

First lines: "I wish to thank you with all my heart for the immense help "Bread in the Wilderness" has been, and"... Contents index: asks Merton for a plan to pray the Psalms for a busy person [includes envelope for letter forwarded to Merton from a publisher in London].

First lines: "I am moved to write to you because of yr. article in Peace News of De. 22nd. «The Time of the»"...

First lines: "La lettre de Soeur Thérèse écrite depuis"...

First lines: "Perhaps for your records - we sent today the book 'Disputed Questions' to; Mrs. Anne Freedgood,"...

First lines: "May I please have [-] 1 - Seven Storey Mtn (Hard cover) [-] 1 Reader [-] To send out? [-] Thanx"...

First lines: "AT request of Dom Leclercq will you please send without charge the following books: Praying"...

First lines: "De B.H., onde estou com as nossas Monjas, e ficarei até, provàvelmente, o fim do ano, envio-lhe os"... Contents index: "B.H." stands for Belo Horizonte, capital city of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

First lines: "Trinity Parish is going to publish a journal of poetry, prints, and essays, to appear twice each"... Contents index: asking permission to publish some of Merton's poetry.

First lines: "Please forgive the long delay. I have been wanting to send you something. All my poems are "out""... Contents index: Merton sends notes on Julien Green / asks if Anderson wants "abstract 'calligraphic' drawings".

This is a file in the correspondence of Thomas Merton under the heading: "Anderson, Kevin, Fr., O.C.S.O. (alias Fr. Robert)".

First lines: "Thanks for your letter. I am glad to hear that things have been developing well, and am certainly"... Contents index: El Latroun / Mont des Cats / Dom André / hermit's life / Dom Winandy in diocese of San Angelo, TX / Fr. Seraphim of Ava in Wisconsin / Abbot of St. Procopius, Lisle, IL.

First lines: "I want to answer your letter before I forget about it, and while I have the problem fresh in my mind"... Contents index: Dom Winandy / Dom Thomas / superiorship vs. eremitical life.

First lines: "Your long and hopeful letter reached me yesterday which is now your feast day in the new Ordo. I"... Contents index: life of solitude / Bishop Valdéz.

First lines: "It was good to get your letter. I rather suspected that you were implicated in the arrangements for"... Contents index: the Hibakusha in Louisville / hibachi and Japanese tea / enclosing mimeograph on Gandhi / satyagraha.

First lines: "Thank you for your gracious welcome to us on Saturday. I am particularly grateful to you for the"... Contents index: Christian efforts for peace / Hibakusha.

First lines: "I am glad to hear that the Peace Caravan of the AFSC will be in Louisville in July, and I think the"... Contents index: retreat at Gethsemani for Peace Caravan / Johnson government and conflict in Asia / fears of war against China / atomic weapons / policing methods in Vietnam "those of Selma and Birmingham" / computers.

First lines: "El distinguido Presidente de la Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, Dr. Julio Endara, se"... Contents index: heard about Merton's plans to commission a statue of Mary and Child Jesus and offers to take up the job.

First lines: "I thank you very much for your letters, and I am going to explain to you my ideas about the work"... Contents index: translation of the 1958/03/03 letter to commission and describe a plan for a Statue of the Blessed Virgin for the novitiate library (translator's handwriting, not Merton's).

First lines: "Contesto su interesante carta de 7 de los corriente. Mi plan de trabajo será el siguiente:"...

First lines: "He … de la biblioteca"...

First lines: "No he podido contestar a sus cartas mi agradecerle por el envío de su interesante"...

First lines: "Debí haber contestado su interesante carta del pasado mes de noviembre a tiempo"...

First lines: "Contesto su dos últimas cartas y espero hacerlo en forma muy sintética en beneficio del tiempo"...

First lines: "We so appreciate your letter, with its great understanding and insight. The mystical phrase of the"...

First lines: "It was good to hear from you again. Aside from our common interest in the Shaker culture, I feel"... Contents index: [Andrews enclosed "6 tracts, flyer, Hancock history" / possibly among undated materials at the end of the sequence].

First lines: "Forgive please this very long delay in thanking you for the copy of «Shaker Furniture» which"... Contents index: Cold War Letter #12 - transcript of letter as included in bound set of Cold War Letters.

First lines: "Thanks for your most recent letter, as well as for the previous one which I put off answering until"...

First lines: "The Tree of Life has arrived, and indeed has been on the wall for some time. It really brightens up"...

First lines: "«SHAKER INSPIRATIONAL DRAWINGS»[:] «THE COLLECTION OF DR AND MRS EDWARD DEMING ANDREWS»"... Contents index: signed, illustrated catalog for an exhibition of drawings and a short essay by E. D. Andrews entitled "Art of the Shaker Folk" / Smith College Museum of Art, 1960-1961.

Merton and Faith Andrews correspond after her husband Edward's death. Faith continues her work, and some of her husbands work, on the Shakers. As William H. Shannon gathers material for his book of published Merton correspondence, he and Faith Andrews exchange letters which are included here.

First lines: "It was good to get your letter last August and to know that the Preface was suitable. I am very"... Contents index: Shakers / Ted (Edward Deming Andrews) / collection in one place at Amherst / published correspondence with Ted.

First lines: "I am writing in my capacity as one of the Trustees for Father Merton's Literary Trust. My job is"...

First lines: "I'm happy to be able to help you complete your collection of Thomas Merton's letters. I have looked"...

First lines: "I am writing you to inform you that I expect to go to Louisville on May 1"...

First lines: "I have been able to carry out my resolve to spend an overnight at Pleasant Hill"...

First lines: "It was a real joy to meet you and to have the opportunity of talking with you about you husband's"... Contents index: letter from Shannon to Faith Andrews regarding their visit.

This is a file in the correspondence of Thomas Merton under the heading: "Angela, Rev. Mother, O.C.S.O.".

This is a file in the correspondence of Thomas Merton under the heading: "Angelita, Sr.".

This is a file in the correspondence of Thomas Merton under the heading: "Anna Mary, Sr.".

First lines: "I enclose $5.00 to have a Mass offered for the canonization of Mother Berchmans in return for favor"... Contents index: letter sent to "Father Abbott" but found within Merton's correspondence.

First lines: "I am afraid that Dom James, now absent, has been making every effort to see that I remain out of"... Contents index: Dom James and Dom Jean Leclercq / Dom Winandy / suggestions on and warnings about founding new community.

This is a file in the correspondence of Thomas Merton under the heading: "Antonella, Mary, Sr., S.C.N.".

In this correspondence spanning eight years, Merton and Br. Antoninus share some of their work and ideas about art, photographs, books, and poems.

First lines: "Many thanks for the "Tongs" which got here a couple of days ago. I have not had a chance to play"... Contents index: see 1965/01/09 letters, 1964 seems to have been a mistake.

First lines: "Fine. We will look for you early in November. Have the people in Louisville written to you yet?"... Contents index: [copied on same paper as 1964/08/26 letter].

First lines: "Many thanks for the "Tongs" which got here a couple of days ago. I have not had a chance to play"...

First lines: "I am delighted that you can use the photograph on the jacket of the new book. Already told"...

First lines: "I am delighted that you can use the photograph on the jacket of the new book. Already told"...

First lines: "I would be so happy to have something of yours for […] venture-- a poem, a bit of journal, a"...

First lines: "I am grateful to your Paternity for the report you submitted on the three meetings of the Discalced"... Contents index: Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the U.S. / spiritual direction / foundation of new Carmelite monasteries / report stating desire to keep separation from the world while looking to changing needs of our times.

First lines: "At the request of our Father Louis we are forwarding to you today our library copy of THE RIGHT"... Contents index: [from "Fr. M. Regis, O.C.S.O., Librarian" on Gethsemani Abbey letterhead, likely Appel, sent to Paul V. Moynihan, reference librarian at the Bapst Library of Boston College] sending the book «The Right Reverend Dom M. Edmund Obrecht, O.C.S.O.» by the late Fr. Amadeus Ginsbach of Gethsemani Abbey.

First lines: "Always in the exordium… the obvious! Long time no compose elongated intramural notes to you."... Contents index: Sr. Teresa Ann, O.S.B., editor of «American Benedictine Review» / "Penetrations" article / advice on whether or what to write.

First lines: "You may certainly read the galleys of MYSTICS AND ZEN MASTERS when the publisher has them, but most"... Contents index: discourages Post publishing much of the book, but offers suggestion for an article on "Eastern and Western Wisdoms".

First lines: "It is a great pleasure for me to have your book on Rumi, I am reading it with great interest as I"... Contents index: Sufism and Merton's lectures / suggests comparison of Rumi with other mystics / sends book on Chuang Tzu and uncorrected essay on Zen.

First lines: "Your book is very fine and I am giving it a slow and fruitful reading. I find it very interesting"... Contents index: permissions to use article on psychocultural analysis and Arasteh's poem in «Monks Pond» / Sufi texts / «Mystics and Zen Masters».

First lines: "I am sorry I have not written for so long. It wasa [sic] disappointment not to see you, but I hope"... Contents index: review of Arasteh's article for monastic magazine.

First lines: "Alan Watts has asked me to thank you very much for your letter of January 13th. Dr. Watts would be"... Contents index: inclusion of "The Ways of Liberation" chapter from «Psychotherapy East and West» in memorial book to Thomas Merton / Saijo was secretary to Alan Watts of the Society for Comparative Philosophy, Inc. (Sausalito, CA).

First lines: "During my studies at the University of Ottawa in view of obtaining a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, I"...

First lines: "Please excuse me for not answering sooner to acknowledge reception of your precious information."...

First lines: "Last week I was delighted when the mail brought a copy of your book, GROWTH TO SELFHOOD. I have"...

First lines: "It was a great pleasure to speak with you on the phone today. I have been wanting to get in touch"...

First lines: "Thank you for "the book"; I enjoyed most parts of it especially the section on "Inner-Experience""...

First lines: "Father Louis would have me assure you of his prayers for your husband and for all who are fighting"... Contents index: [from Fr. Matthew Kelty of Gethsemani].

First lines: "Te escribo para informarle que mi esposo y el novio de […] amiga Marta Elena Rodriquez a quien"...

First lines: "I am writing to tell you that my husband and the fiancé of my friend Marta Elena Rodriguez, whom you"... Contents index: translation of letter in file.