Seasons of Celebration: Meditations on the Cycle of Liturgical Feasts

by Thomas Merton

This work, originally inspired by the liturgical renewal brought on by Vatican II, contains Thomas Merton's meditations on the seasons of the liturgical year. He examines the words, songs, ceremonies, signs, and movements that are designed to open our hearts and minds.

Genres: Spirituality, Christianity, Theology

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Thomas Merton, religious name M. Louis, was an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, poet, social activist and scholar of comparative religion. In December 1941 he entered the Trappist Abbey of Gethsemani and in May 1949 he was ordained to priesthood. He was a member of the convent of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, near Bardstown, Kentucky, living there from 1941 to his death.
Merton wrote more than 50 books in a period of 27 years, mostly on spirituality, social justice and a quiet pacifism, as well as scores of essays and reviews. Among Merton's most enduring works is his bestselling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain (1948). His account of his spiritual journey inspired scores of World War II veterans, students, and teenagers to explore offerings of monasteries across the US. It is on National Review's list of the 100 best nonfiction books of the century.
Merton became a keen proponent of interfaith understanding, exploring Eastern religions through his study of mystic practice. His interfaith conversation, which preserved both Protestant and Catholic theological positions, helped to build mutual respect via their shared experiences at a period of heightened hostility. He is particularly known for having pioneered dialogue with prominent Asian spiritual figures, including the Dalai Lama XIV; Japanese writer D.T. Suzuki; Thai Buddhist monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, and Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh. He traveled extensively in the course of meeting with them and attending international conferences on religion. In addition, he wrote books on Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, and how Christianity is related to them. This was highly unusual at the time in the United States, particularly within the religious orders.

Reviews

[David Armstrong]

Like all of Thomas Merton's works, this one is timeless. However, some of these essays do show at least some age. Overall, I enjoyed the book and will enjoy picking it up again from time to time. By far my favorite essay was "Time and Liturgy" and I would recommend the book for no other reason than those pages alone.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Merton writes with depth and insight. I would not say this was the most inspiring work, but I did find some treasures. It also gave me a chance to reflect once again on the nature and progression of the liturgical year.

[Drew McCaffery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merton always has very insightful perspectives on various topics. I felt in this case, Merton brings an insightful perspective on how various portions of the Church year inform and shape our life living out the story of Christ.