Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Thomas Merton - (1915-68) / A Revelation

A Revelation image. Click for full size.

By Lori Erickson, November 9, 2010

1. A Revelation

Spiritual Revelation of Thomas Merton

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Thomas Merton - (1915-68) Trappist monk, poet, social critic, and spiritual writer. Born in Prades, France. After education at Cambridge and Columbia Univ., he entered Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, Ky., 1941; ordained as priest, 1949. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain (1948), earned international acclaim. He is buried in abbey cemetery.

Reverse

A Revelation Merton had a sudden insight at this corner Mar. 18, 1958, that led him to redefine his monastic identity with greater involvement in social justice issues. He was "suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people...." He found them "walking around shining like the sun."
Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander.

Erected 1998 by Kentucky Historical Society. (Marker Number 2004.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights

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• Education. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 18, 1958.

Location. 38° 15.072′ N, 85° 45.456′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of West Muhammed Ali Boulevard and South Fourth Street, on the right when traveling west on West Muhammed Ali Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Louisville KY 40202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sit-in Demonstration Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Rotary Club of Louisville / Henry Watterson Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Blue Boar Cafeteria (within shouting distance of this marker); Sit-In Demonstration Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil Rights Movement Overview - Fourth Street Sit-In Demonstration Sites (about 400 feet away); Cathedral of the Assumption (about 500 feet away); Mother Catherine Spaulding (about 500 feet away); Campaign to End Racial Segregation in Louisville (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . .
1. Thomas Merton’s Mystical Vision in Louisville. Article on Spiritual Travels site. (Submitted on January 14, 2020.)

2. Wikipedia entry on Thomas Merton (with photo). (Submitted on January 15, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

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Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2020. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 34 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on January 14, 2020, by Mark T. Nutter of Fort Wright, Kentucky. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of front of marker and a wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?