On an Encounter with a Nun in a Hotel

"This is one of my favorite stories from the writings of Thomas Merton.

"In The Waters of Siloe, he tells the true story of a businessman checking into a hotel in Paris in the days following World War II and, inexplicably, passing a young nun in the lobby:

"'The nun is smiling…she is a young sister with a bright, intelligent French face, full of the candor of a child, full of good sense; and her smile is a smile of frank, undisguised friendship. The traveler instinctively brings his hand to his hat, then turns away and hastens to the desk, assuring himself that he does not know any nuns. As he is signing the register, he cannot help glancing back over his shoulder. The nun is gone.Putting down his pen, he asks the clerk, 'Who was that nun that just passed by?' . . .

"The clerk shrugs: 'Monsieur, you are the only person that has come in or gone out in the last half hour.'"

In a recent post, Deacon Greg Kandra reflects on this businessman's encounter.

To access his complete post, please visit:

The Deacon's Bench: The nun in the hotel lobby (1 OCT 14)