xt7b5m62893t https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7b5m62893t/data/mets.xml  Thomas Merton 1958-04-18 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, April 18, 1958 text Letter from Thomas Merton to Victor Hammer, April 18, 1958 1958 1958-04-18 2023 true xt7b5m62893t section xt7b5m62893t $=

Z

OUR LADY OF GETHSEMANI
TRAPPIST,KENTUCKY

AlilI‘il 18 ,1958

Dear Victor:

Ordinarily, allthe authorities on liturgy (in the

sense of rubrics) insist that the altar cross must have

on it an image of the crucified turned towards the
celebrating priest. It should rest on the altar, or be
suspended above it. There may be some now who are
advocating the use of a croix nus, but here in America
where everything is very conseryfitive in these matters
I have never yet heard of it.%

As I have never seen the inside of the Kolbsheim
chapel I cannot venture an opinion on your Crucifix,
in relation to the rest of the work, and certainty I do
not think I would be in the least qualified to do so.

But it seems that certainly since the whole thing is

lee or less your conception, you would be expected to kn-
what would suitably crown the whole work, and as far as

I canxsee your crucifix fits in with the sculpture on the
facade very well. I am sure this is a very painful sit-
uation and I feel for you very strongly in it. I do

hope it will be worked out satisfactorily. Meanwhile,

the idea of the American chapel is a new one and I

look forward to talking with you about it. It is a fine
the ugh'b .

I am returning the letter, and the latest proof of
Prometheus. I hope to return afew books to the library
in a day or so. we are very busy in this lovely weather.
And our wrens are nesting in their wren houses, while I
plant many seedlings for a future (I hope) pine grove).

Bless you both, and let us hear f rom.you again
soon. I am sure the project will come out very well in the
end, don't worry about it. These things are all fruitful
and good in the life of an artist and of a Christian.

As ever, in Our Lord

//14 59144;;
(
* PS. I do remeMber seeing pictures of a crOix nue in

one of our monasteries which is regarded as a bit radical,
so there must be things like that in France.