The Sign of Jonas by Thomas Merton

Book Review - The Sign of Jonas, by Thomas Merton

This is a marvelous book, a diary written by Merton during a five-year period of his living as a Trappist Monk at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky.  Some of his entries are brief and others are quite lengthy, including philosophical wonderings, poetic   descriptions of the beauties of nature he sees all around him, theological treatises and remarks about  his daily experiences, with bursts of delightful humor sprinkled in.  He gives a detailed description of the life of a Trappist, the perpetual silence, the hand signs they learned    for non-verbal communications, the long hours of prayer, beginning in the early morning, the long hours of work in the monastery and outdoors, the frugal diet and the simplicity of life.

Merton had a great passion for writing and his Abbot recognized his remarkable talent.  He gave him various assignments such as document for the monastery and lives of the saints, and also allowed him time for the many books he was inspired to write.  The problem Merton had in being faithful to his duties as a monk and finding time for writing caused him several physical breakdowns, with time spent in the infirmary. The publication of his autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, brought him instant fame, even internationally, and the countless letters from all over the world, the stream of visitors and a number of speaking requests made this problem all the more difficult. He   eventually had to compose a general response to his letters and to have help with his letter-writing.

When Merton began his diary he was not yet an ordained priest, nor even a deacon, and he expresses his fervent longing for this to happen. His depth of spirituality is evident in the eloquent prayers and preparations he made before ordination, and the joy he felt at being able to offer the sacrifice of the Mass. But in his religious fervor he still remained the lovable, remarkable human he had always been. You would enjoy this book, as well as some of the countless others he has written, a few of which have reviews in this blog.