Thomas Merton

“In a world of noise, confusion and conflict it is necessary that there be places of silence, inner discipline and peace.”

“Such places are the abbeys, the hermitages, the contemplative communities.”

“They are also any place where prayer is sincere.”

“You can make a hermitage in your own home.”

“Carve out one corner. Keep it for prayer.”

“There go each day for at least a few minutes.”

“Slowly, that corner becomes a doorway.”

“And through that doorway, you meet God.”

“Suffering must be a fruitful thing for it to be a good thing.”

“Suffering, with no purpose, is a tragedy.”

“Suffering, accepted in love, is sacred.”

“Compassion is keenly aware of the absolute uniqueness of every human being and grieves over the universal failure to recognize and honor that uniqueness.”

“This is the wound of all human life.”

“To help heal it is the work of love.”