Authenticity, Passion, and Advocacy
Approaching Adolescent Spirituality from the Life and Wisdom of Thomas Merton
- Children & Youth
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2020
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Publisher's Description
Adolescence can be best summarized as a time of authenticity, passion, and advocacy. As adolescents start maturing, on a life journey that leads them away from dependence on their parents to becoming an independent adult, they often seek out honest and transparent mentors to learn from and trust for wisdom and guidance. Although Thomas Merton, the celebrated spiritual author and Cistercian monk, is better remembered for his writings on ecumenism, nonviolence, and advocacy, he also had several documented correspondences with adolescents throughout his life. By examining these artifacts, it is clear that Thomas Merton had great insight into the spiritual needs and challenges of adolescents. Throughout his life, Merton's authentic struggles often parallel the searching nature that defines adolescent spirituality. Through scholarship and practice this book will explore how the life and writings of Thomas Merton may serve as a guide and bridge for ministers of adolescents, and will offer some practical suggestions for minsters, educators, and parents on topics affecting contemporary adolescents, through the lens of Thomas Merton's life and writings.
Endorsements (6)
“Seeking to understand how Catholic teaching is received by the modern adolescent, Dr. Thomas Malewitz presents a path of formation for those who teach and form adolescents, with the Trappist monk Thomas Merton as a guide and model. . . . Dr. Malewitz includes Merton’s letters and communication with adolescents, which illustrate Merton’s ability to listen, enter into dialogue, and communicate an understanding of the true self always seeking God. This is a must-read for the minister who seeks to form well the adolescents entrusted to his or her care.”
“Writing from many years of hands-on experience in the classroom, along with his profound reading of Merton, Thomas Malewitz provides an excellent roadmap for Christian educators to incorporate, indeed immerse, their adolescent curricula in the timeless and prescient wisdom of Thomas Merton.”
“This is a wonderful text for all educators interested in supporting adolescents in developing their spiritual, ethical, and discerning selves—to help them understand their particular place in the world as a positive force for change and the cultivation of happiness. It’s a text that is clearly needed today. Malewitz does a superb job of weaving together theory, practical ideas, and student voice. It’s a text for educators to revisit time and again.”
“As an orphan and mildly misguided adolescent, Thomas Merton had to find his own reliable mentors before eventually becoming a powerful guide for others. Through this careful and fascinating study of Merton’s encounters with young people, Tom Malewitz has expertly constructed an insightful and practical resource that will be treasured by teachers, youth ministers, parents, and mentors.”
“Thomas Malewitz reminds us that the adolescent journey of self-discovery is an encounter with the sacred. Through his own research, reflections, and experiences as a high school theology teacher, Dr. Malewitz has successfully bridged the interactive, contemplative world of Thomas Merton with twenty-first-century adolescent spirituality, creating a unique perspective on the formation and education of young people.”
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