xt7qnk364h3b https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7qnk364h3b/data/mets.xml  Thomas Merton 1960-02-05 This letter is from collection 75m28 Thomas Merton papers. archival material 75m28 English  Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Thomas Merton correspondence Letter from Thomas Merton to Victor Hammer, February 5, 1960 text Letter from Thomas Merton to Victor Hammer, February 5, 1960 1960 1960-02-05 2023 true xt7qnk364h3b section xt7qnk364h3b it

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OUR LADY OF GETHSEMANI
TRAPPIST,KENTUCKY

Feb 5,1960

Dear Victor:

Here are the first proofs with one correction. I am happy that this project
is going ahead and that you like it. I thoroughly agree with you that it is a
logical companion piece to the Desert Fathers book. The design will leave nothing
to be desired, if the two are going to match one another. About the title page,
remember that the ctpyright can be on the back of the title page. It does not
have to be on the front, which is certainly disastrous for design. I look
forward to further developments.

About the tabernacle: do not think that I am clinging madly to some idea
of my own about how it ought to be. I leave entirely to you the external form
and design of the tabernacle. The only trulng that I have to be concerned about
is that the tabernacle should conform to the canonicaI regulations. These are
in brief:

1) That it should be in the middle of the altar (half way between ends)
2) That it be fix-d to the altar or in some way un-movable.

3) It should be, interiorly,very solid and safe-like, so that it cannot
be broken into, as far as possible. It cannot in other words be a plain
wooden box. The outside casing can be wood. As for the inside "safe"
you can go about that any way you like or even get someone else to make it
I do not know how to explain it in such a way that it will not deter you
from the project. It just has to be very solid and secure. You can fill
this prescription in any way you like as long as it is taken care of.

Lt) Inside, the dimensions should be such as to permit putting away
a ciborium over 18 inches high. Or at least 19 inches. And there are
some special ways of making the inside formal and lavish with silk or
something, which I think is probably non essential, andif it isn't maybe
some brother can take care of that here.
Really I don't think there has to be any special problem about this. What did you
do for Kolbsheim? Surely theirs is regular.

I have been up and down with bouts of 'flu. This weather is miserable. I
hope you are all right. From everywhere I get echoes of happiness from J. at the
picnic we enjoyed together.

Thank Carolyn for the Hordoff book, which I have received. It is pretty
definite that my photographer friend and I will do a book on the Shakers, but
I am not advancing very rapidly with study of the subject.

And now: when will you next come over? Let's give the weather a chance to
clear a little. Perhaps early in March- the 2nd is Ash Wednesday and that would b
be bad, but the first, third, fourth or fifth would be all right. If you have
some other choice, just let me know a little ahead so that I can confirm or
change the arrangement. I hope to hear soon. God bless you both.

With every best wish
Cordially in Christ,

{/14 Lam;

 

  

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