Mondays with Merton

Mondays  7-8PM
beginning October 7, 2024 in the Library 

Led by The Rev. John Kennedy and Emma McDonald Kennedy, PhD

Join us for a new reading and discussion group based on the writings of Thomas Merton (1915-1968), a Trappist monk and one of the great spiritual figures of our time. “Mondays with Merton” will be led by Fr. John and Emma Kennedy, PhD, and will meet on Mondays from 7-8pm in the St. Mark’s library. Emma and John met through their shared interest in Thomas Merton and led a Merton reading group together while students at Yale Divinity School. They are excited to bring this offering to St. Mark’s and to share their love of Merton with the community.

We will read Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander (1966), a series of notes, opinions, experiences and reflections in which Merton examines some of the most urgent questions of our age. With his characteristic forcefulness and candor, he brings readers face-to-face with such provocative and controversial issues as the “death of God,” politics, modern life and values, and racial strife–issues that are as relevant today as they were in the 1960s. 

Each session will begin with 10 minutes of silent contemplative prayer to ground ourselves in the Spirit and open our hearts before engaging our minds. Participants are encouraged to read the first half of Part One (pp. 1-26) before the first meeting. The book can be purchased from bookshop.org or from your preferred bookseller. 

Register here so we can prepare the space.

Get the syllabus here.