Judith's Upcoming Events

March 13
Valente-Blihar Families Distinguished Poets Series
Judith Valente with Poet Angela Alaimo O’Donnell

10 a.m. and 11 a.m. (Eastern) Angela O’Donnell Lecture on “Why Poetry Matters”
Noon (Eastern) Poetry Reading with Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, Judith Valente, Philip Vassallo,  and Mary Ann B. Miller, Editor in Chief of Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry

St. Peter’s University
2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey
Contact Dr. Rachel Wifall, English Department: rwifall@stpeters.edu

 

March 18
International Thomas Merton Society Fourth and Walnut Lecture
Judith Valente introducing keynote speaker author James Finlay
7 p.m. (Eastern)

Bellarmine University
2001 Newburg Rd, Louisville, Kentucky 40205
Contact Dr. Paul Pearson, Merton Center: pmpearson@bellarmine.edu

 

March 28
“Turn the Page” podcast interview with host Jenn Jordan
11 a.m. (Eastern), 10:00 a.m. (Central)
A production of the Syosset Public Library, Long Island, New York
Contact: jjordan@syossetlibrary.org

 

April 4-6

Contemplation in a Chaotic World: Practices for Lent

In Person Retreat

Nazareth Retreat Center, 40 West Drive, Nazareth Kentucky

Contact Dorothy Zimmerman: dzimmerman@nazareth.org

 

April 16

Thomas Merton’s Contemplative Wisdom for Crisis Times

Indianapolis Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society
7 p.m. (Eastern)

Episcopal Church of All Saints
1559 Central Avenue, Indianapolis Indiana 46202
Contact Mark Hudson: markchudson@gmail.com

 

April 19
Holy Saturday Wild Flower Meditation Walk
A Morning of Poetry, Nature and Meditation with Rev. Jane Roeschley and Judith Valente
10 a.m. – Noon (Central)
Merwin Nature Preserve, 25777 N. 1925 Road East, Lexington, Illinois
Contact Rev. Jane Roeschley: janemark76@gmail.com

 

May 14
Book Launch for The Italian Soul
Judith Valente in Conversation with Albert DeGenova, editor of After Hours literary journal
The Book Cellar
7 p.m. (Central)
4736 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago Illinois
Contact Suzy Takac: words@bookcellarinc.com

 

May 30
La Dolce Vita: What Italy Can Teach Us About Living More Mindfully and Joyfully
Online
11am – 1pm (Eastern)
Sponsored by Monasteries of the Heart 
Contact Katie Gordon: katiegordon24@gmail.com

 

June 19
Presidential Address by Judith Valente
International Thomas Merton Society 19th General Conference
In Person
Regis University, Denver CO
2:30 p.m. (Mountain)

Conference registration: https://merton.org/2025/default.aspx

 

June 21
Merton, Thomas Berry and the Search for Home
In Person Workshop with Judith Valente and Carol Lenox
Time: TBD
International Thomas Merton Society 19th General Conference
Regis University, Denver, Colorado
Conference registration: https://merton.org/2025/default.aspx

 

November 1
Savoring the Full Joys of Life: A Day of Reflection 
In Person
10 am – 2 pm (Eastern)
Kirkland Community College, Grayling, Michigan
Contact Millie Mellgren: mellgrenm@gmail.com

 

November 7-9
Thomas Merton & Dorothy Day: Contemplative Wisdom for Crisis Times
In Person
St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Illinois
Contact Sister Bobbi Bussan: rbussan@smmsisters.org

 

November 21-22
What Italy Can Teach Us About Celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas More Fully
Online
Sponsored by Sophia Retreat Center, Atchison, Kansas
Contact: sophia@mountosb.org