Thomas Merton Book Inspires Catholic Artistic Imagination Series’ Concert

The next installment in the Catholic Artistic Imagination Series will feature an original musical composition based on prayers and drawings from Dialogues with Silence, a book by 20th century Catholic priest Thomas Merton.

Associate Music Professor Dr. Zvonimir Nagy will present the multimedia performance, Thomas Merton: Dialogues with Silence, Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Genesius Theatre. Professional musicians, including a flutist, percussionist and baritone vocalist, will join Nagy on stage. A reception will follow the event, which is hosted by the Center for Catholic Faith and Culture.

Merton was a prolific author and social activist who championed spirituality, civil rights and peace. Nagy describes his project as “a series of musical and spiritual dialogues that are informed by faith and infused with human creativity, and situated between the silence of our innermost being and the sound of our humanity.”

Nagy’s composition was funded by a $6,000 Paluse Faculty Research Grant, which support research that reflects the mission and identity of Duquesne. The Catholic Artistic Imagination Series highlights artistic works informed by Catholic faith or explored from a Catholic perspective. Both the series and the Paluse grant are sponsored by the University’s Center for Catholic Faith and Culture.

Visit duq.edu/CAI-Merton to register for the event.