Thomas Merton Center

Thomas Merton

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a writer and Trappist monk at Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky. His writings include such classics as The Seven Storey Mountain, New Seeds of Contemplation, and Zen and the Birds of Appetite. Merton is the author of more than seventy books that include poetry, personal journals, collections of letters, social criticism, and writings on peace, justice, and ecumenism.

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The Thomas Merton Center

The Thomas Merton Center is the official repository of Merton's artistic estate, which includes over thirteen hundred photographs and nine hundred drawings in addition to his writing. The Center archives more than fifty thousand Merton-related materials.

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The Thomas Merton Center is currently open Monday-Friday, 9am - 4pm. Appointments are recommended for research visits.

Bellarmine University is a vaccinated campus and we ask our guests and visitors to be vaccinated as well.

Due to increased levels of community transmission masks are required when visiting the Merton Center.

Further information for Visitors: merton.org/visit.aspx

Further information for Reseach Visits: merton.org/visit-research.aspx

International Thomas Merton Society

The International Thomas Merton Society, formed in 1987, includes chapters throughout the world. The ITMS promotes the study of Thomas Merton and, with the Merton Center, co-publishes The Merton Seasonal. The next ITMS Conference will be held at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN. from June 22 - 25, 2023.

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Tuesdays with Merton - A webinar series presented by the ITMS and the Center for Spirituality at Saint Mary's College on the second Tuesday of each month.