International Thomas Merton Society

Bellarmine University

Call for Papers Call for Papers Call for Papers

for the

Twelfth Conference and General Meeting

The Twelfth General Meeting of the International Thomas Merton Society
June 9-12, 2011
Loyola University (Lake Shore Campus), Chicago, Illinois

Thomas Merton entered the Abbey of Gethsemani on December 10, 1941; so in the Twelfth General Meeting, the ITMS will mark the seventieth anniversary of this pivotal moment in his life. The Abbey of Gethsemani became the first real home that Merton had ever known. In The Sign of Jonas Merton wrote “This is the land where you have given me roots in eternity, O God of heaven and earth. This is the burning promised land, the house of God, the gate of heaven, the place of peace, the place of silence, the place of wrestling with the angel.” The monastic life provided Merton with the spirituality and the structure to produce some of the great spiritual texts of our time. Merton’s exploration of spirituality and monasticism and its relevance for the modern world transformed monasticism and influenced innumerable people around the world, as he became a prophetic critic of contemporary urban crises and an agent of social transformation.

Proposals are invited for presentations on Merton’s life and work, particularly those related to the conference theme on topics such as (but not limited to) Merton and: silence, the desert and the city, monasticism, spirituality and humor, the vision of Sophia, the challenges of urban life and technology, the demands of justice, diversity and urban life, language and the media, the arts and architecture, place and the environment.

Session formats include:

1. Scholarly Papers designed for presentation in twenty minutes (8-10 double-spaced pages, maximum).
2. Workshops designed to involve audience participation.
3. Creative/Dramatic Presentations using music, poetry, dance or other media to provide insight into aspects of Merton’s life or work.
4. Guided Meditation/Prayer Sessions, particularly those using Merton’s own writings as a framework for prayer and meditative reflection.

Please note: Workshops, Creative/Dramatic Presentations, and Guided Meditation/Prayer Sessions should be designed for a ninety-minute session.

Proposals of no more than 250 words, accompanied by a short biographical identification (1-2 sentences), should be submitted by May 15, 2010 by e-mail attachment to: merton2011@bellarmine.edu; or by mail to ITMS 2011, Thomas Merton Center, Bellarmine University, 2001 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40205. U.S.A.
 

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