The decision to become a Catholic undoubtedly steered Merton onto a more defined path in his life and he began this journey impatiently. He wrote anxiously that he wanted “to begin taking instructions at once….” Little details sneak into his prose. “I came out of the presbytery with three books under my arm.”
Many New York City Catholics at that time might have referred to the “presbytery” as the “rectory.” “Presbytery” sounds more Anglican than Catholic to the American ear and the first question arises; what does Merton see in Catholicism that he does not see in Anglicism? Of all the Protestants denominations Anglicism and Catholicism still have the most in common. Yet Merton does not say he wants to join the Catholic Church but wants to become a Catholic. The distinction may not be as small as it sounds. Is Merton saying Anglicanism is wanting? If so, how?
Another detail emerges from Michael Mott’s biography of Merton about this period in Merton’s life; “he [Merton] needed a Catholic sponsor for provisional baptism.” [My italics.] The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms from other denominations and this section of canon law is clear, concise, easily understood and applied. An investigation into the validity of Merton’s Anglican baptism seems improbable given that it occurred during a world war in Europe and many members of Merton’s family who might possess written records are deceased. This may have been that proverbial “blessing in disguise.” Merton would not have to convince his family that this decision was best for him. As Mott notes this decision was quite private; few friends even knew about it and Merton essentially had no immediate family.
A detailed reader, especially a Catholic one, might ask; what were those three books. Merton does not say; so speculation is permitted. High on the probability list is the Baltimore Catechism. a book which needs no introduction to any Catholic, faithful or lapsed. It is the summary of most of the major dogmas of Catholicism and primarily geared toward children who were preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation.
Less probable is that one of the books was the Bible since Merton implies that he was to read these books as part of his preparation. If it was the Bible it was almost certainly one of the Douay-Rheims editions. More probable is that one of the books was a missal or a book explaining the Catholic liturgy. The third book is anyone’s guess, perhaps one of Fulton J. Sheen’s early publications. By 1948, when The Seven Storey Mountain was published, Fulton Sheen’s impact on American spirituality continued to grow. Merton’s publishers sent respected religious leaders, including Sheen, advanced copies of The Seven Storey Mountain. Sheen commented on the autobiography calling it “a twentieth-century form of The Confessions of St. Augustine.” Many years later Merton met Sheen briefly when Sheen visited the Trappists in Kentucky. One can only imagine the even more immense influence this duo of Catholic clergy might have had if they combined their talents.
Merton was baptized November 16, 1938 at Corpus Christi Church in New York City. He had fond memories of worshipping there. “It would certainly be ingratitude of me if I did not remember the atmosphere of joy, light, and at least relative openness and spontaneity that filled Corpus Christi at solemn High Mass. — Thomas Merton, Seasons of Celebration.
Reflection
“There is something in the depths of our being that hungers for wholeness and finality. - Thomas Merton, No Man is an Island.
Response
What wholeness do people seek for themselves, now and tomorrow?