The Climate of Monastic Prayer; Cistercian Studies Series Number One
Spenser, Massachusetts: Cistercian Publications, 1969. First edition. Octavo, original sage cloth, gilt spine, original pictorial dust jacket. Small owner ink-stamp to front endpaper, very slight edge-wear to unclipped dust jacket. A nearly fine copy. Item #1704
"EVERY CHRISTIAN MAY, IF HE SO DESIRES, ENTER INTO COMMUNION WITH THIS SILENCE OF THE PRAYING AND MEDITATING CHURCH, WHICH IS THE CHURCH OF THE DESERT"
First edition, first issue of The Climate of Monastic Prayer—Thomas Merton's final book—a "last testament" in the renewal of contemplation. Uncommon in the earliest ("painted") first-issue dust jacket with an "In Memoriam" portrait of Merton inside the rear flap. An exceptional copy.
Published posthumously (Merton died in December 1968) as Cistercian Studies Series, No. 1., and dedicated: "With deep affection and sincere respect the editors dedicate this his last book to Louis Thomas Merton ('and more to come')." With a brief Editor's Note by Basil Pennington explaining that the purpose of the series is "not so much to fill minds with information as to move hearts to action. And the action of monks is prayer." A footnote at the bottom of the page explains the dedication: "I guess I ought to read the galleys [for this book] but I am not sure where I'll be. Asia has been magnificent so far & more to come. Best always. Tom Merton."
A lengthy Foreword, by Merton's friend Douglas V. Steere, refers to Father Louis's recent death in Asia and describes how "this last testament of his, The Climate of Monastic Prayer, bears the heart of his own message of renewal." Though it was written primarily for monks, the Introduction maintains this practical study "should be of interest to all, since every Christian is bound to be in some sense a man of prayer." The first-issue dust jacket reproduces a painting by the Cistercian artist, Fr. Robert Morhous, O.C.S.O. while the back panel of the jacket lists the titles published in the companion Cistercian Fathers Series. Breit. Thomas Merton: Comprehensive Bibliography, I.I6A; Dell'Isola. Thomas Merton: A Bibliography, A56.
Price: $300.00