Jan. 31 marks centenary of Trappist monk Thomas Merton

The 100th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Merton will be marked Saturday, Jan. 31. Merton was a Trappist monk whose writings on spiritual life, inter-religious understanding, peace and social justice issues have guided spiritual seekers across the world.

His autobiography, "Seven Storey Mountain," appears on lists of the 100 most important books of the last century, has been in print ever since its first edition in 1948 and has sold millions of copies. Commemoration events are planned around the world in major cities and small towns.

Mary Helms and George Beckerman, cofounders of the Thomas Merton Society Interfaith Chapter of Southern Delaware, are organizing a trip to Merton 100: Living the Legacy, an International Thomas Merton Society conference at Bellarmine University, Louisville, Ky., June 4 to 7.

Three of the conference speakers have made presentations in Rehoboth Beach. They are David Golemboski of Georgetown University; Sister Kathleen Deignan, a professor at Iona College, and Edward Kaplan, professor at Brandeis University.

Helms and Beckerman will join the Merton Centenary Celebration at Corpus Christi Church in New York City Saturday, Jan. 31.

The Merton Interfaith Chapter serves a community of interest of more than 150 people in Sussex County. For information about the chapter and Merton 100 events, contact George Beckerman at george.beckerman@gmail.com.