In 2015, Pope Francis spoke to a joint session of Congress and praised the work of four Americans. One of those Americans was Thomas Merton. Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk, writer, and theologian, having written more than 70 books, many of which were devoted to religious thought. "He remains a source of spiritual inspiration and a guide for many people," Pope Francis said of the monk who died in 1968 at age 53.

The pontiff went on to quote directly from Merton's autobiography."Merton was above all a man of prayer, a thinker who challenged the certitudes of his time and opened new horizons for souls and for the Church. He was also a man of dialogue, a promoter of peace between peoples and religions," the pope said, reiterating one of the major themes of his U.S. trip this week.

I begin this book review with that contextual backdrop in order to frame why Odorisio’s work is important.  In May and October of 1968, Thomas Merton offered two extended conferences in Northern California. These were his final conference talks given in the United States prior to his untimely death. This book transcribes and edits over 26 hours of previously unpublished material spoken by a man whom Pope Francis lauded nearly 60 years after his death.

Reading this book is like being the proverbial “fly on the wall” listening in to the words of a man who many believe may one day be a canonized saint. Perhaps the most comforting words uttered by Merton during these conferences is that “We already have everything!” (Preface, xv)

Odorisio’s work is a significant addition to Merton’s legacy. The book also contains a number of letters penned by Merton. It is almost as if Odorisio is performing the work of the diocesan phase of Merton’s cause for canonization by presenting how Merton lived through a theological examination of his writings and talks.

If there is any downside to Odorisio’s book, it is that we know how the story ends. We know that at the end of this book Merton will board a plane and fly to Bangkok, Thailand where he will come into contact with an electric fan while bathing in his hotel room,  and die. Because of that, Odorisio’s book carries a somber weightiness, and Merton’s words carry a mournful urgency.