Dr. Brandon Nappi’s Ash Wednesday program on Thomas Merton, which includes day and evening retreats in West Hartford, will explore the theme, ‘Becoming Who You Are.’

Thomas Merton would have turned 100 this year. Submitted photo

Submitted by Kathy Colello, Holy Family Retreat Center

Dr. Brandon Nappi, whose own life was profoundly influenced by the writings of Thomas Merton, will present day and evening retreats on the iconic Christian author on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 10-2 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., at Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford.  Both programs will include Mass and the distribution of ashes.

Dr. Nappi will explore Merton’s writings on the true self in a presentation titled, “Becoming Who You Are: Celebrating Thomas Merton’s 100th Birthday.”  Merton would have turned 100 years old on Jan. 31.

Thomas Merton was an American Trappist monk who died tragically at the age of 53.  A supporter of interfaith understanding, he is arguably the most influential American Catholic author of the twentieth century.  His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, has sold over one million copies and has been translated into more than fifteen languages.

Dr. Nappi is associate retreat director at Holy Family and executive director of the Copper Beech Institute in West Hartford.  An accomplished spiritual teacher, speaker, and writer, he graduated from the University of Notre Dame and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Yale and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Aquinas Institute of Theology.

The offering to attend the retreat is $40 and includes lunch or dinner. Holy Family Retreat Center is located at 303 Tunxis Road in West Hartford.  For more information and to register, visitwww.holyfamilyretreat.org or call 860-760-9705.