Cassian and the Fathers : initiation into the monastic tradition / by Thomas Merton ; edited with an introduction by Patrick F. O'Connell ; foreword by Patrick Hart ; preface by Columba Stewart.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968

Contributor:

O'Connell, Patrick F.

Series:

Monastic wisdom series ; no. 1.

Monastic wisdom series ; no. 1

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cassian, John, approximately 360-approximately 435.

Cassian, John.

Desert Fathers.

Monastic and religious life--History--Early church, ca. 30-600.

Monastic and religious life.

History.

Monastic and religious life--Early church.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

lxvi, 305 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Kalamazoo, Mich. : Cistercian Publications, [2005]

Summary:

"Cassian and the Fathers, the initial volume in the series of Novitiate Conferences of Thomas Merton, contains Merton's insights on patristic and monastic figures preceding the time of St. Benedict, above all John Cassian, the most significant bridge between the early desert fathers and the monastic life of the West. They reveal the continuing relevance of their teachings for contemporary monastics and other Christians." "Long visible in his works written for publication, the "public" Merton has recently been complemented by the "interpersonal" Merton disclosed in his correspondence and the "intimate" Merton revealed in his journals. These class notes prepared by Merton for teaching young men beginning their monastic life at the Abbey of Gethsemani cast light on Merton the teacher, novice master, and monk. They provide a privileged standpoint for observing Merton as an integral and important member of his monastic community. While these lectures need to be used critically in evaluating Merton's own perspectives, the dialectical relationship between Merton's public and private statements, including those made during the novitiate classes, makes evident a more complex and richer picture of his monastic and personal identity. Book jacket."--Jacket.

Contents:

Cassian and the Fathers

Part I. Monastic Spirituality and the Early Fathers from Apostolic Fathers to Evagrius Ponticus

Part II. Lectures on Cassian

Appendix A. Textual Notes

Appendix B. Table of Correspondences

Appendix C. For Further Reading.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 283-290) and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Merton, Thomas, 1915-1968. Cassian and the Fathers.

ISBN:

0879071001

0879070013

9780879071004

9780879070014

OCLC:

56951359

Publisher Number:

9780879071004

9780879070014