Before his death in 1968, Trappist monk Father Thomas Merton — in several of his spiritual writings — suggested that the purpose of Advent is not a matter of waiting for the Lord, but rather of recognizing his presence among us here and now.
Advent with Thomas Merton: Do not wait for Christ — he is here!
Novelist looks at writings, influence of Trappist monk Thomas Merton
To observe the 100th birthday in 2015 of one of the most popular and influential Catholic literary figures of the 20th century, author Mary Gordon wrote a book based on a lecture which launched an exhibition of Mertonian papers.