Even fifty years after his untimely death, Thomas Merton remains one of the great Christian writers and teachers. In Christchurch we feel a special connection with him since his father Owen was a Christchurch-born New Zealand painter, and his grandparents (Alfred, born Rangiora, and Gertrude nee Grierson) are buried in Waimairi cemetery (ref this pdf page 8) along with his aunt Agnes who died in the Wahine disaster.

Find information about the Christchurch Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society at this link.

A new documentary has been made focussing especially on the last year of Merton’s life. You can view the trailer below: