Daniel Horan, O.F.M., popular author of Dating God and other books on Franciscan themes—and expert on the spirituality of Thomas Merton—masterfully presents the untold story of how the most popular saint in Christian history inspired the most popular spiritual writer of the twentieth century, and how together they can inspire a new generation of Christians.
Millions of Christians and non-Christians look to Thomas Merton for spiritual wisdom and guidance, but to whom did Merton look? In The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton, Franciscan friar and author Daniel Horan shows how, both before and after he became a Trappist monk, Merton’s life was shaped by his love for St. Francis and for the Franciscan spiritual and intellectual tradition.
Given recent renewed interest in St. Francis, this timely resource is both informative and practical, revealing a previously hidden side of Merton that will inspire a new generation of Christians to live richer, deeper, and more justice-minded lives of faith.
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36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
HASH(0xb1b26654) out of 5 stars
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"This finely textured volume highlights Thomas Merton's intellectual and spiritual debt to the Franciscan tradition. Like the good householder of the Gospel, Daniel Horan draw forth old things and new" -- Lawrence S. Cunningham, University of Notre Dame
"Daniel Horan brings a fresh and welcome perspective to the life and legacy of the twentieth century's most celebrated monk" -- Michael Downey, Editor of The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality
"What a treasure we have in young and insightful Daniel Horan!" -- Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation
--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
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About the Author
Daniel P. Horan, O.F.M., is a Franciscan friar of Holy Name Province (New York), a columnist for America, and the author of several books, including The Last Words of Jesus, Dating God, and Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith.
He is the author of many scholarly and popular articles and a frequent lecturer and retreat director around the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Horan received a 2011 Catholic Press Association first-place award for his writing on spirituality.
Horan studied at St. Bonaventure University where he earned a bachelor degree in theology and journalism. He entered the Order of Friars Minor in 2005, made his first profession of vows in 2007, and was ordained a priest in 2012.
During his studies as a friar, Horan earned a master's degree in systematic theology in 2010 and a master of divinity in 2012, both from the Washington Theological Union. He is currently completing a doctorate in systematic theology at Boston College.
Horan taught in the department of religious studies at Siena College (2010-2011) and was a visiting professor in the department of theology at St. Bonaventure University (2012).
He serves on the board of directors of the International Thomas Merton Society. Horan is a regular contributor to Give Us This Day and The Huffington Post. He is also the Catholic chaplain at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Follow him online at danhoran.com.
--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
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36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
A New Scholar Brings A New Lens For Viewing the Life and Work of Thomas Merton 3 October 2014
By I. J. Montaldo - Published on Amazon.com
As someone who has read Thomas Merton since he was thirteen years old, who is about to celebrate his sixty-ninth birthday on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi in a few days, who has edited several volumes of Merton's work and served as President of the International Thomas Merton Society, and who is past being eager to read another book about Merton, rather preferring to continue reading Merton himself, I am taken aback at how much I enjoyed and appreciated this new, because more intense, focus employed by Daniel Horan on the Franciscan foundations and influence upon Merton's Cistercian vocation and on key elements of his spiritual legacy.
By I. J. Montaldo - Published on Amazon.com
As someone who has read Thomas Merton since he was thirteen years old, who is about to celebrate his sixty-ninth birthday on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi in a few days, who has edited several volumes of Merton's work and served as President of the International Thomas Merton Society, and who is past being eager to read another book about Merton, rather preferring to continue reading Merton himself, I am taken aback at how much I enjoyed and appreciated this new, because more intense, focus employed by Daniel Horan on the Franciscan foundations and influence upon Merton's Cistercian vocation and on key elements of his spiritual legacy.
The heart of Horan's good book are Parts II and III.
In Part II, "Franciscan Foundations,"
he employs original research to present a time-line that is more expansive and detailed, than the one more ordinarily constructed by Merton scholars as only brief, of Merton's interest in becoming a Franciscan. He highlights the instigation of Merton's desire to become a priest and Franciscan as it was mentored by Merton's friend and former professor, Daniel Walsh. He sheds better focus on how individual Franciscan friars, especially a foremost scholar of the Franciscan tradition, Father Philotheus Boehner, were crucial in encouraging Merton's studies in Franciscan philosophy and theology, while Merton taught English at what was then Saint Bonaventure College in Olean, New York.
In Part III, "Reflections on Faith,"
Horan successfully uncovers the Franciscan ground of key ideas associated with Merton's writing on spirituality,
- especially the idea of the "true self,"
- his Christ-centered theology,
- the motive of Christ's incarnation as an excess of God's love, and
- Merton's life-long appreciation of his kinship with all beings in creation.
Horan carefully examines how much Merton's theological and artistic perspectives in these key ideas are grounded in the writings of Franciscans John Duns Scotus and Saint Bonaventure.
Most importantly, he brings to the forefront Merton's continuing reverence for Saint Francis of Assisi and how, beginning from the time Merton becomes a Third-Order Franciscan while teaching at St. Bonaventure's, Francis was a major model for how Merton sought to live out his own search for God in his own century.
Horan's writing is clear and his judgments about Francis and Merton are connected to twenty-first century life so that a reader gets the points for her own contemporary experience, but there is nothing light-weight about his text.
Although he wears his learning lightly and can write for the general reader, Horan is a scholar. I do judge that this book is not a general introduction into the thought and life of Thomas Merton. It is best approached by someone who has read Merton elsewhere, but "The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton" polishes the Merton corpus anew so that hidden veins of Merton's intellectual history can be better uncovered and the richness below the surface of his thought can be better appreciated.
I don't know Daniel Horan personally and have no ax to grind on his behalf, but I am happy to endorse his new book publicly and wish him good work in the many decades of living and writing ahead for this young Franciscan priest and scholar.
Jonathan Montaldo
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
HASH(0xb1b26654) out of 5 stars
Unwrapping the nuggets of similarity required the studies of this author
9 November 2014
By Mary Jane Pelletier - Published on Amazon.com
I found Daniel Horan's book to be insightful, surprising, and challengingly practical. I had anticipated references to contemplation and to the false self, and I found in this book a remarkably active interpretation of both - no navel gazing here.
By Mary Jane Pelletier - Published on Amazon.com
I found Daniel Horan's book to be insightful, surprising, and challengingly practical. I had anticipated references to contemplation and to the false self, and I found in this book a remarkably active interpretation of both - no navel gazing here.
I felt as though I somehow walked hand in hand with Daniel Horan, Thomas Merton, and Francis of Assisi as they exchanged ideas, learned from one another, and brought the theoretical to practice through their lives.
The interwoven references to vocation, peacemaking, Incarnation, and embracing the stranger gave the book focus and left me with a renewed interest in and commitment to Franciscan spirituality and to contemplative practice.
I was delighted to find references to authors who are currently inspiring my learning such as James Finley and Ilia Delio.
I was grateful for the opportunity to learn more about John Duns Scotus and his influence on the Franciscan school. I find references to the univocity of being, for example, to be relevant to today's environmental crises; thus the book is as much forward-looking as it is a study of past events.
I am grateful to Dan Horan for sharing with the reader insights from the intensity of his Franciscan studies over the past several years and the fruits of his Merton studies as well. Only someone fully immersed in both could have written this book.
Top reviews from the United States
Jessica Coblentz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging and clear presentation of theological themes in Merton and the Franciscan tradition
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2014
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Dan has given us another great book! I had the pleasure of reading the manuscript while in production, and I have been awaiting its publication ever since. As a causal reader of Merton and the Franciscan tradition, I am grateful for Dan's informative and accessible commentary on the lives of Merton and Francis.
My favorite parts of the book are the many chapters Dan dedicates to overlapping theological themes in the works of Merton and the Franciscan tradition. Dan brings his typical clarity of thought and prose to complex theological themes--from theological anthropology and christology to theologies of creation and interreligious dialogue, just to name a few. Not only did I learn great deal from this book, but I was also challenged to reflect on my Christian life in important ways.
19 people found this helpful
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Claudia.PoetryPainter
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Merton Scholars & Christian Spirituality Students
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2015
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A Great book for Merton lovers that connected the dots between Merton's early years teaching in a Franciscan University and personally studying there. The explanation of Franciscan spirituality and theology was very helpful and worth reading the book even if one is not a Merton fan.
Daniel Horan is a logical and interesting writer, presenting many facts to support his observations of the impact of Franciscan theology and spirituality in Thomas Merton's life as observed from his writings and ideas. Some parts of the book could have been tightened up but I enjoyed reading all of the details.
I am thankful for certain key ideas that Horan presented that are useful to all Christians. In particular the chapter on prophecy and the opportunity for all Christians to grow into this calling and his explanation of why Merton is said to have functioned in a prophetic role for our culture.
I have a master's degree in Spirituality from Bellarmine University in Louisville Kentucky and still learned many details from Horan about Thomas Merton (Father Louis). Thus, I highly recommend this book for all Merton scholars and students of Christian Spirituality.
6 people found this helpful
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Carol
5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous information and so convenient in audiobook form
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2018
Verified Purchase
Having read so much of Merton's own writings, I was greatly enriched and informed by listening to Dan Horan's perspectives on Merton's mindset. Had never considered the strong Franciscan influence. Wonderful information and it was very helpful to take in in in audiobook form. In my busy life, recordings work very well for me.
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Victoria Vancouver
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book comparing Francis and Merton
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2018
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I love Dan Horan's style of writing. He looks at the "usual" and straightens you out. He says much in a single paragraph that just rocks what you know. We are reading the book for a Franciscan reading group.
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Jeanette E. Miraglia
5.0 out of 5 stars A Challenge for 2015
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
This is an excellent book, and I must admit that the first chapter threw off base. It is a challenge for me to follow the Franciscan path realistically.
Having been associated with a Cistercian community for over 40 years, it is where I attend Sunday services, I have read numerous books by Thomas Merton and other Cistercian publications. I feel most persons interested in advancing in
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Mary Gillmarten
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful new facet on the study of Merton's life
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2015
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A wonderful new facet on the study of Merton's life. Merton has been studied as a Catholic, as a Catholic moving towards Zen and eastern religions, as a philosopher, as a peacenik, and now as a Franciscan. He is a diamond with many facets, none exclusive of the other. Young Fr. Horan is always a delight to read, his prose is easy and clear.
3 people found this helpful
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Joseph
Apr 30, 2018Joseph rated it really liked it
Author sets out wonderful parallels between lives of St. Francis and Thomas Merton. Makes both more accessible to modern reader. While primarily a limited biography on Merton, it does address the issues he grappled with (i.e. civil disobedience, war, modernism) and how they are not dissimilar to issues that the reader may face today.
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Craig Bergland
Oct 31, 2014Craig Bergland rated it it was amazing
Shelves: biography, christianity, contemplation, interspirituality, thomas-merton-studies, spirituality
An outstanding study of Merton's Franciscan influence. Well conceived, researched, and written, this book is an absolute necessity for any fan of Thomas Merton. Highly recommended! (less)
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Amy Moritz
Mar 11, 2020Amy Moritz rated it really liked it
I picked up this book because (a) I know Fr. Dan Horan and adore him, (b) I love Thomas Merton, and (c) my brother recommended it. So trifecta!
I decided to read some "spiritual" books during Lent this year and
by "spiritual" I mean books that lead me to think more deeply about life and love and God and all that is good, particularly as I work on the depths of grief. Looking at the intersection of Francis and Merton THE best place to start.
First of all, I appreciated Fr. Dan's look at the brief overview history/biography of each man. I learned more about Merton and his "rejection" by the friars, of which my knowledge pretty much ended with what he wrote in Seven Story Mountain.
My biggest takeaway, which is not likely what Fr. Dan intended, is to look more closely at Merton's notion of the "true self."
This is a place I personally want to look at more in depth. His writing on true self (though I didn't remember it called that or really recognize that as a theory when I read it the first time) was something I instinctively felt called to when I first read "New Seeds of Contemplation." And it has Franciscan roots? No wonder I loved it!
"It is not about putting Francis on a pedestal in order to laud him as so exceptional that we cannot possibly relate but instead about seeing in his example what it means to so deeply reflect on scripture and the love of God that his WHOLE LIFE, mentally and physically, was transformed by the experience of prayer, solitude, and reflection."
"It is not what we do, what we have, or how we act that makes us loved by God and worthy of love from others. Rather, it is WHO WE ARE -- individually created, willed, and loved into being by God -- that is the source of our dignity and value."
"William Shannon explains that there are, according to Merton, only two ways to discover the true self. The discovery of the real self is achieved (1) through death, which Merton conceives not so much as the separation of the soul from the body, but the disappearance of the external self and the emergence of the real self, or (2) through contemplation, which is the renouncing of our "petty selves" to find "our true selves beyond ourselves in others and above all in Christ." Contemplation is the letting go of the false self -- which is why it is a kind of death, a death that takes place during life."
And I finally learned something about Scotus:
"Scotus makes the point that the reason for the Incarnation rests in the need for all creation to be glorified and share in God's goodness."
"It is through Christ that we are able to see God as God truly is -- humble, loving, forgiving, and poor. To say 'Christ' is, at one and the same time, to say this is who God is and this who WE ARE CALLED TO BE."
"Contemplation in a Franciscan key is not about our searching for God in particular times and dedicated places. Rather, Franciscan contemplation is about learning to see how God is always ready right before us, reflected in all aspects of creation. ... A Franciscan approach to contemplation challenges us not to let contemplation, the gazing at God, become just another thing we have to do. We need to let our relationship with God Transform us to see the whole world in new and life-giving ways."
"Through contemplation and openness to ongoing conversion from false self, we discover who we really are in who God really is. To live the life of the Gospel is to live a life of self-emptying service, finding God in our emptiness and poverty. From that position of minority, we, like Merton and Francis, are able to authentically encounter the "stranger' and to hear his or her voice."
"At the core of Francis' understanding of what it means to be a peacemaker is the commitment to take down any barriers we intentionally or inadvertently put up between ourselves and others that prevent us from entering into honest, humble, and meaningful relationships with others." (less)
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