A Book of Hours by Thomas Merton Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Book of Hours
Book Review: Pray Thomas Merton!
Summary: 5 Stars
A fantastic Book of Hours from the writings of Thomas Merton, which includes passages from his poetry and other writings not encountered by those who have read his journals or his most popular books. This was a new side of Merton for me, and I found it to be wonderful. The prayers and readings in this book reflect new areas of encounter with God that I had not experienced in his writing before. Highly recommended!Book Review: Serving Our Soul-Needs
Summary: 5 Stars
It feels presumptuous to comment on a gracefully written and illustrated work based on the words of one of the twentieth century's greatest spiritual writers. Nonetheless, my take on this prayer book may add a little something to the high praise expressed by Merton scholars in the foreword and jacket remarks.
Kathleen Deignan's introduction, in addition to providing background on Thomas Merton, describes the practice of praying a Book of Hours. Her version consists of excerpts from a variety of Merton's works presented as familiar liturgical elements such as psalms, litanies, intercessions, hymns, and epistles. She invites us to "let this breviary serve our soul-needs" using whatever elements appeal to us during the time we have.
The first time I prayed with the book, I was drawn to these words from the Lesson: "Keep your eyes clean and your ears quiet and your mind serene." What would it mean for me to do each of those, and could I add other, similar cautions? Maybe lips or tongue or mouth in relation to fasting and praying? During a later session, I discovered an antiphon that exemplifies Merton's moments of pure exuberance in the midst of more formal expression: "You have to be all the time cooperating with the love and love sets a fast pace even at the beginning and, if you don't keep up, you'll get dropped." I was grateful that Deignan included this one, and also a long passage from Merton's Fire Walk story, considered by many to be the greatest piece of spiritual writing of its time.
Although this Book of Hours is in itself enough material for unlimited reflection, the author has wisely understood that many readers will want more Merton. To help them, she has added a simple system for identifying the source of each passage at the end of the book.
Book Review: Short Meditations
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a book of short meditations designed to help the contemplative in his daily life of prayer. Modeled after the Liturgy of the Hours practiced by Catholic religious, it contains thoughts, poetry, impressions, and opinions, some unorthodox, taken from Thomas Merton's writings. The wonder and awe Thomas Merton feels for God and his creation are highlighted in many of the selections. So is Merton's dissatisfaction with the modern world and its hectic pace. I have found the book to be a godsend in my own personal meditations-I love this book so much that I have given copies to friends and relatives!Book Review: Steppingstones To The Interior
Summary: 5 Stars
A book that takes Thomas Merton's BEST writings and arranges them in prayers for Sunday (Genesis) to Saturday (Wisdom) at the 4 Hours named: DAWN, DAY, DUSK, & DARK. These are the best formed Breviary prayers I've found in a lifetime. The writings selected from Merton are his more lyrical, mystical, and poetic writings, and lacks the dusty prose quality he sometimes has. I found this book to be the new central structure of my life time now. It shoved aside all manner of chaff. I enjoy much more time in prayer and contemplation now, and much less time online wasting hours. I did not find the traditional OFFICE to help in this regard, and this doesn't displace or replace the other more traditional breviaries, but it is a serious and beautiful alternative for solitary or communal prayer. I have experienced my entire life restructured around what I can only say is MY VOCATION REKINDLED. Solitude, contemplation, prayer have returned after many years of abeyance. The book is always new. For the solitary, this is a great window of light beaming in from the sun! You'll not be surprised that I've bought several as gifts for others, and keep extra here in my hermitage so prayer aloud with visitors is enabled. Benedicite! Taste and try....Book Review: The Book I Cannot Keep
Summary: 5 Stars
A Book of Hours takes some of Thomas Merton's most reflective and poetic writing and turns those writings into prayers. Because Merton was a contemplative whose spirituality turned ever to this aching world, addressing his words both to political figures and members of the intelligentsia as well as practitioners of other faiths, he is a valuable friend and spiritual guide. Praying Merton's Hours is a very grounding experience. Also a beautiful one. I've given copies to all my friends. Highly recommended.