The Friends of Thomas Merton | Franciscan Media | Daniel P. Horan, OFM

On November 10, 1958, Thomas Merton wrote a letter to Pope John XXIII in which the famous American monk shared with the new pope some reflections about the world and Church. In one part, Merton describes how he has begun to understand that being a cloistered monk does not necessarily mean withdrawing from the world in an absolute sort of way.

Instead, he has discerned the Spirit calling him to another form of ministry from within the walls of the monastery by writing letters, connecting with women and men that he might never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.
— Read on www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/the-friends-of-thomas-merton/