The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax: Catholic Practice in North America

Robert Lax (1915-2000) was an American poet and Catholic convert who lived a life of simplicity and solitude in the mountains of New York State. He was a prolific writer of poetry, letters, and spiritual reflections, and his work has been praised by critics for its beauty, depth, and originality. Lax's life and work offer a unique perspective on Catholic spirituality in the modern world.

Pure Act: The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax (Catholic Practice in North America)

by Michael N. McGregor

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3704 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	470 pages
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Early life and education

Robert Lax was born in Olean, New York, on November 19, 1915. He was the son of a Jewish father and a Catholic mother. Lax was raised in a secular household, but he was drawn to Catholicism from a young age. He converted to Catholicism in 1941, and he remained a devout Catholic for the rest of his life.

Lax attended Columbia University, where he studied English and philosophy. He graduated from Columbia in 1937, and he then worked as a teacher and a journalist. In 1942, Lax entered the Trappist monastery of Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky. He left the monastery after a few months, but he continued to practice Catholicism as a lay person.

Life in the mountains

In 1943, Lax moved to the mountains of New York State, where he lived in a small cabin for the rest of his life. He lived a simple life of prayer, work, and writing. Lax was a close friend of the poet Thomas Merton, and the two men often corresponded about their spiritual experiences.

Lax's life in the mountains was not without its challenges. He was often lonely and isolated, and he struggled with poverty and ill health. However, he also found great joy and peace in his simple life. He wrote about his experiences in his poetry, letters, and spiritual reflections.

Writing

Lax was a prolific writer, and he produced a large body of work that includes poetry, letters, and spiritual reflections. His work is characterized by its beauty, depth, and originality. Lax wrote about a wide range of topics, including his Catholic faith, his experiences in the mountains, and his friendships with other poets and writers.

Lax's work has been praised by critics for its beauty, depth, and originality. He has been compared to such poets as William Blake, Emily Dickinson, and Gerard Manley Hopkins. Lax's work is a valuable contribution to American literature and to the literature of Catholic spirituality.

Legacy

Robert Lax died on August 26, 2000, at the age of 84. He is buried in the cemetery at Gethsemani Abbey. Lax's legacy lives on through his work, which continues to inspire and challenge readers today.

Lax's life and work offer a unique perspective on Catholic spirituality in the modern world. He shows us that it is possible to live a life of faith and simplicity even in the midst of a complex and often confusing world.

Pure Act: The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax (Catholic Practice in North America)

by Michael N. McGregor

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3704 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	470 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE