Thomas Merton on Latin and chant

[drforjc]

Via Fr. Z, also posted on Chant Cafe. Interesting quote on Latin and chant from Thomas Merton.

This is what I think about the Latin and the chant: They are masterpieces, which offer us an irreplaceable monastic and Christian experience. They have a force, an energy, a depth without equal. All the proposed English offices are very much impoverished in comparison — besides, it is not at all impossible to make such things understood and appreciated. Generally I succeed quite well in this, in the novitiate, with some exceptions, naturally, who did not understand well. But I must add something more serious. As you know, I have many friends in the world who are artists, poets, authors, editors, etc. Now they are well able to appreciate our chant and even our Latin. But they are all, without exception, scandalized and grieved when I tell them that probably this Office, this Mass will no longer be here in ten years. And that is the worst. The monks cannot understand this treasure they possess, and they throw it out to look for something else, when seculars, who for the most part are not even Christians, are able to love this incomparable art.&

— Thomas Merton, in a letter to Dom Ignace Gillet, Abbot General of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance

And, in the Seven Storey Mountain:

“But the cold stones of the Abbey church ring with a chant that glows with living flame, with a clean, profound desire. It is an austere warmth, the warmth of Gregorian chant. It is deep beyond ordinary emotion, and that is one reason why you never get tired of it. It never wears you out by making a lot of cheap demands on your sensibilities. Instead of drawing you out into the open field of feelings where your enemies, the devil and your own imagination and the inherent vulgarity of your own corrupted nature can get at you with their blades and cut you to pieces, it draws you within, where you are lulled in peace and recollection and where you find God.”
Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain, Part 3, ch. 4, page 379

 

[Deus_tecum]

Via Fr. Z, also posted on Chant Cafe. Interesting quote on Latin and chant from Thomas Merton.

When I am deeply troubled By something, I tune to Gregorian Chant on Pandora and leave it on all night, though barely audible, and I awake in the morning rested and at peace. If prayer can drive demons away then what better prayer is there than the chants of 100 or more Holy men and women?

 

[DaveBj]

When I am deeply troubled By something, I tune to Gregorian Chant on Pandora and leave it on all night, though barely audible, and I awake in the morning rested and at peace. If prayer can drive demons away then what better prayer is there than the chants of 100 or more Holy men and women?

Years before I converted, I would put a chant CD on my player, set it on “loop,” and let it run all night. Pretty much the same result.

 

[Kevin12]

Via Fr. Z, also posted on Chant Cafe. Interesting quote on Latin and chant from Thomas Merton.

I appreciate Merton quite a lot. Seven Story Mountain definitely helped me cling to my faith in a moment of difficulty.

But you should know you’re dropping a bomb by mentioning him on the Traditionalism board even if he’s saying something you agree with on liturgical matters. This isn’t what I think, but just the reaction your almost sure to get based on past experience.

 

[Elizium23]

I appreciate Merton quite a lot. Seven Story Mountain definitely helped me cling to my faith in a moment of difficulty.

But you should know you’re dropping a bomb by mentioning him on the Traditionalism board even if he’s saying something you agree with on liturgical matters. This isn’t what I think, but just the reaction your almost sure to get based on past experience.

Just this past week, I came across a copy of Seven Storey Mountain donated to our Lending Library, of which I am in charge, determining which books should be included and which should be salted and burned. I came across this and hmmmed, because I don’t know enough about Merton myself to make the decision. My mom once gave me a copy of The Man in the Sycamore Tree and I honestly didn’t know what to make of the man. So I asked my pastor.

My pastor spoke to me at length, in glowing terms, about how influential Merton’s writings were to him while he was in seminary. He said that “Mountain” is rock-solid, pun not intended, and while he admitted that Merton did get a little too much into the Eastern spirituality in his later years, that he also might have pulled back a bit and into orthodoxy just before his death. My pastor is very orthodox and conservative, and doesn’t truck with any shenanigans in the liberal or conservative wings of the Church. So I have powerful confidence in his opinions in these matters.

Take that however you want it. I will stand by Merton and defend him against attacks.

 

[Kevin12]

Just this past week, I came across a copy of Seven Storey Mountain donated to our Lending Library, of which I am in charge, determining which books should be included and which should be salted and burned. I came across this and hmmmed, because I don’t know enough about Merton myself to make the decision. My mom once gave me a copy of The Man in the Sycamore Tree and I honestly didn’t know what to make of the man. So I asked my pastor.

My pastor spoke to me at length, in glowing terms, about how influential Merton’s writings were to him while he was in seminary. He said that “Mountain” is rock-solid, pun not intended, and while he admitted that Merton did get a little too much into the Eastern spirituality in his later years, that he also might have pulled back a bit and into orthodoxy just before his death. My pastor is very orthodox and conservative, and doesn’t truck with any shenanigans in the liberal or conservative wings of the Church. So I have powerful confidence in his opinions in these matters.

Take that however you want it. I will stand by Merton and defend him against attacks.

Good for you! If only more people here were more open minded and less quick to judge.

 

[Casilda]

Years before I converted, I would put a chant CD on my player, set it on “loop,” and let it run all night. Pretty much the same result.