Book excerpt from spiritual formation why thanksgiving is lifegiving. The works are listed under each category by year of publication. Intimacy, fecundity, and ecstasy in christian perspective by nouwen, henri j. The following is excerpted from our book contemplative mysticism. Shedding light on the sacred longings of the human heart, these deeply personal letters from one of the greatest spiritual teachers of our age offer not only wisdom but practical insight into what it really means to live and lead an authentic spiritual life. Spiritual direction gives us the unique and unrivaled experience of having henri nouwen as our personal spiritual director, answering our questions about the. More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live. Below is a bibliography of published works written by dutchborn catholic priest henri nouwen. This includes 42 books, four of which were published posthumously, along with 51 articles and 4 chapters which are lists in process.
He probed deeply at the meaning of living a spiritual life that embraces pain and suffering in ourselves and in the world, yet nevertheless gives us freedom to love. Nouwen has had a vast influence within the emerging church and evangelicalism at large through his writings, and. I prefer simply to tell you that i consider myself primarily a priest who wants to minister as concretely and directly as possible with and form the people i love. The entire book spring boards from a seemingly random encounter nouwen had with rembrandts famous painting, return of the prodigal son. Henri nouwens intimate letters shed light on his theology of the heart. Show me the way 1992 is a book of daily lenten readings based on the writing. The writings of henri in the road to daybreak are a comfort and i read to him daily.
Nouwen was a dutchborn catholic priest who left a highly acclaimed academic career at harvard to share his life with people with mental disabilities as pastor of one of jean vaniers larche communities in toronto, canada. Here is what nouwen said about the ministry of presence. A chance encounter with a reproduction of rembrandts the return of the prodigal son catapulted henri nouwen on an unforgettable spiritual adventure. Nouwen is promoted by christian leaders as diverse as robert schuller and rick warren who highly recommends nouwen s contemplative book in the name of jesus. Sister sue mosteller, csj, the executrix of nouwens archives, addressed some 400 people at. Over the course of his life, nouwen was heavily influenced by the work of anton boisen, thomas merton, rembrandt, vincent van gogh, and jean vanier. The henri nouwen society exists so others, who are on a journey of faith, can experience the unconditional love of god that henri nouwen discovered. I am thankful and grateful i have found the support through henri nouwens writings and look foreword to this lenten discussion. His many books chart a path for us to follow on our journey into deeper communion with god and jesus through the holy spirit. Here he shares the deeply personal and resonant meditation that led him to discover the place within where god has chosen to dwell.
A book of hours by henri nouwen, robert waldron isbn. A toronto nun who knew henri nouwen at torontos larch daybreak community where the popular spiritual writer spent the last 10 years of his life gave a glimpse of the dutch priestauthors vulnerability and compassion recently at oblate school of theology. His first encounter was with a poster, hanging on a colleagues office wall. About this book and getting prints of the prodigal son painting this is henri nouwens own personal favorite book, based on nouwens reflections on a rembrandt painting called prodigal son, which hangs in the hermitage in st. It focuses on the predicament of the ministers themselves most of all so that after dealing with their own hurt, they are better equipped. Henri nouwens reflections on the path life chooses to take at our command, viz. Henri nouwen 19321996, one of the most important spiritual writers of the last part of the twentieth century. A spirituality of imperfection biographer wil hernandez, who teaches a course on the spirituality of henri nouwen at fuller theological seminary tells us. The role of the minister must change accordingly, he. Twentythree years ago, the spring issue of harvard divinity bulletin included the following announcement. This heartfelt collection of his prayers will help sanctify the minutes and hours of your day.
A christian century magazine survey conducted in 2003 found that nouwen s writings were a first choice for catholic and mainline protestant clergy. A book of hours is a beautiful new compilation based on the writings of henri nouwen, one of the greatest spiritual teachers of our time. Gabrielle earnshaw, who edited a collection of 204 of henri nouwens nearly 4,000 letters to people all over the world, said they provide a a. Petersburg to shoot a documentary based on his acclaimed spiritual meditation, the return of the prodigal son, henri nouwenpriest, writer, professor, and pastoral mentordied of a heart attack in his homeland of the netherlands. I believe we are all spiritual beings having a human experience, as events in our lives draw us closer to the lord. Henri jozef machiel nouwen january 24, 1932 september 21, 1996 was a dutch catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian. Gabrielle earnshaw is founding curator of the henri j. Henri nouwen was born in nijkerk, the netherlands on january 24, 1932. His interests were rooted primarily in psychology, pastoral ministry, spirituality, social justice and community.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Dean narrates with full value and attention to detail when nouwen speaks of the necessity of silence to allow god to mold our thoughts and speech. This article is condensed from a tape available from ave maria press, notre dame, indiana 46556. Higgins and kevin burns paulist press, 2019 a retreat with henri nouwen. With more than 140 photos, the amazing story of one of the most popularand complexspiritual figures of our time. Henri nouwen this book is a collection of four short but moving essays, each of which gives the reader a glimpse into the mind of one of the modern days foremost spiritual writers. Henri nouwen 19321996 was one of the most popular and downtoearth spiritual writers of the twentieth century. Henri nouwen, an increasingly popular catholic author, describes the challenge of ministering to modern man in his book, the wounded healer. A profound and always timely piece from henri nouwen on the power and necessity of gratitude. A spirituality of waiting bessels green baptist church.
Nouwen, a dutch priest living in canada, is the author of numerous books on deepening the spiritual life. Nouwen spent his life helping people respond to the universal yearning for love, unity and communion. Nouwen 19321996 was a roman catholic priest who taught at harvard, yale, and the university of notre dame. Through his more than fifty books henri nouwen, the dutch priest and writer, touched countless people with his compelling interpretation of christian faith.
This book offers you a personal, thirtyday retreat based on the most popular works of modern spiritual writer henri j. Im hoping this letter book will encourage people who have letters in their care. The following quote from henri nouwen hangs permanently on my refrigerator. This book was written as a fourpart guide to help ministers understand their own suffering along with that of the church. Nouwen spent his life helping people respond to the. Michaels college, a position she held for 16 years. This deep experience of ourselves captures the nature of our inward journey. He sees the predicament of twentieth century man as radically different from that of people in previous generations.
Nouwen, a priest, psychologist, and lifelong seeker whose books include out of solitude and with open hands. Nouwen spent his life helping people respond to the universal yearning for love, unity and communion that doesnt go away. Henri nouwen and the ministry of presence each thought. Two decades ago, on september 21, 1996, while on the way to st. His own journey through those turbulent times provides insights into many important dimensions of our spiritual lives. Letters on the spiritual life 9780525573951 by henri j. Henri nouwen project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks.
In a seamless narration dean explains nouwens belief that solitude develops compassion, which leads to healing. Reclaiming our humanity, edited by robert durback st. Nouwen archives and research center at the university of torontos st. Henri nouwen society henri nouwen books henri nouwen. Henri nouwen as model for a reformed priesthood, by michael w. He was the oldest of four children born to laurent j. Nouwen spent his life helping people respond to the universal yearning for. Join the henri nouwen societys virtual community as we focus and reflect on the themes presented in a. The foundation of nouwens work is solitude, silence, and prayer. The holy longing, ronald rolheiser refers to henri nouwen as the spiritual writer who most influenced our generation.