About this item

"If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I am living for, in detail, and ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for."Thomas Merton Some of today's most popular spiritual writersincluding Rev. James Martin, S.J.; Bishop Robert Barron; Robert Ellsberg; Rev. Daniel P. Horan, O.F.M.; and Kaya Oakesexplore the meaning of life and what we live for using Thomas Merton's life and writings as a guide. In his address before the US Congress, Pope Francis praised Merton as one of four exemplary Americans. This was no surprise to the thousands who already know and appreciate the twentieth-century monk, but there were many listening that day who still have no idea who Merton is.



About the Author

Jon M. Sweeney

Jon M. Sweeney is an independent scholar and author of history, spirituality, poetry/mysticism, memoir, and young reader fiction. He's a popular interpreter of the life and work of Francis of Assisi, and author of more than 40 books including "St. Francis of Assisi," with a foreword by Richard Rohr, and "The Complete Francis of Assisi," used by Third Order Franciscans everywhere. HBO optioned the film rights to Sweeney's book on the medieval Pope Celestine V, "The Pope Who Quit." In 2020, the fourth book in his "The Pope's Cat" series for children appeared: "Margaret and the Pope Go to Assisi," and a new biography, "Nicholas Black Elk: Medicine Man, Catechist, Saint." In 2021, Jon published "Thomas Merton: An Introduction to His Life, Teachings, and Practices," with St. Martin's Press in print and ebook, and Penguin Random House Audio in audiobook; and "Feed the Wolf" in hardcover. He has been interviewed on CBS News, WGN-TV, Fox News, and CBS Saturday Morning, and by publications online ranging from CNN to Romper. He is a practicing Catholic who also prays regularly with his wife, a congregational rabbi. Jon loves the church, the synagogue, and other aspects of organized religion. He would never say that he's "spiritual but not religious." He is the father of four and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jon serves on the board of The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at Sacred Heart Seminary in greater Milwaukee. He works as an editor for Orbis Books and as contributing editor for books at SpiritualityandPractice.com.



Read Next Recommendation

Report incorrect product information.