Very few can combine academic erudition and human suffering. Henri nouwen was a wellknown and wellrespected priest and author. Anyone who is a minister or healer of any kind should read this book. Henri nouwen posed this question in 1972, nearly 50 years ago, as the opening sentence to the wounded healer. See more ideas about henri nouwen, prayers and people fr. The world was not under lockdown, but his analysis of the modern person is called into stark relief in a world grieving and fighting a coronavirus. All henri nouwen quotes about healing nobody escapes being wounded. Create amazing picture quotes from henri nouwen quotations. Henri nouwen puts into words what we think and feel. We are all wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.
Sue mosteller talks about henri nouwen on salt and lights witness program duration. In 2020 i am reading each day from henri nouwens book bread for the journey. As followers of jesus we can also allow our wounds to bring healing to others. The wounded healer is a hopefilled and profoundly simple book that speaks directly to those men and women who want to be of service in their church or community, but have found the traditional ways often threatening and ineffective. Nouwen, a priest, psychologist, and lifelong seeker whose books include out of solitude and with open hands.
This comes from absorbing both worlds, a destiny not common. I have collected several of his books and look forward to reading, underlining, and digesting them all. Henri nouwen the friend who can be silent with us in a. In this book, henri nouwen combines creative case studies of ministry with stories from diverse cultures and religious traditions in preparing a new model for ministry.
Nouwens books, which are still being read today, include the wounded healer, in the name of jesus, clowning in rome, life of the beloved and the way of the heartthe results of a christian century magazine survey conducted in 2003 indicate that nouwens work was a first choice of authors for. Henri nouwen was a priest who taught at harvard, yale, and notre dame. Michaels college until she resigned in 2016, addressed some 400 people june 20 at oblate school of theologys 2017 summer institute on the life and spirituality of henri nouwen. Touch, yes, touch, speaks the wordless words of love. Nouwen talks about living the question, says ken wytsma, president of kilns college and pastor of antioch church in bend, or. Healing icons offers support and community at all stages of the healing process. Daily meditations for spiritual living, convergent books the more i think about the human suffering in our world and my desire to offer a healing response, the more i realize how crucial it is not to allow myself to become paralyzed by feelings of. Feb 20, 2011 mostly it is better not to direct a suffering persons attention to ourselves. We receive so much touch when we are babies and so little when we are adults. We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The present article focuses on the impact of cognitive dissonance and the role it plays in. Mar 01, 2020 henri nouwens words arrive digitally each morning to bless my thinking and heart.
In 1983, nouwen resigned from harvards divinity school. Henri nouwen society healing letters henri nouwen society. Daily meditations for spiritual living, convergent books the more i think about the human suffering in our world and my desire to offer a healing response, the more i realize how crucial it is not to allow myself to become paralyzed by feelings of helplessness and guilt. This book offers you a personal, thirtyday retreat based on the most popular works of modern spiritual writer henri j. Shortly after his death in 1996, i was shocked to receive an email from someone quoting the gay theologian henri nouwen a verification of henris concern. Im praying that this study of henri nouwens teaching. After lunch one day, i went to a bookstore and passed by a title that intrigued me. We have to trust that our own bandaged wounds will allow us to listen to others with our whole beings. Nouwen has had a vast influence within the emerging church and evangelicalism at large through his writings, and. Sep 07, 2009 a prayer by henri nouwen came across an excerpt from henri nouwens book a cry for mercy. He spent much of his life in america, where he ministered and taught throughout the continent. Henri nouwens words arrive digitally each morning to bless my thinking and heart. He was the oldest of four children born to laurent j. Henri nouwen has been blessed with true vision of the human condition.
Henri nouwen was born in nijkerk, the netherlands on january 24, 1932. Draw ever closer is an easytouse devotional for all who seek both intimacy with god and relationship with other people. In this book, henri nouwen combines creative case studies of ministry with stories from diverse cultures and. Henri nouwen was one of the most influential spiritual thinkers of the twentieth century. Henri nouwen society meditations the wounded healer. It is a time to be with you, lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus. Henri nouwen was a dutchborn catholic priest, professor, and pastor, who gained international renown as the author of over 30 books on the spiritual life, including such classics as the wounded healer, the inner voice of love, and reaching out. Henri nouwen 1932 1996 was a dutch catholic priest, seminary professor of psychology and spiritual theology, writer, and, most of all, a great lover of god and people. The book presents four doors through which we can minister to one another regar.
I am amazed at how an intellectually brilliant man can write with such simplicity yet profoundness. A dutchborn catholic priest and writer who authored 40 books about spirituality. Here are 15 profound quotes from nouwens writings on relationships. The main question is not how can we hide our wounds.
He shared the final years of his life with people with mental and physical disabilities at the larche daybreak community in torronto, canada. Over time, he became dissatisfied in his role as a professor. The struggle with the messiness of life is a part of faith, but. Mostly it is better not to direct a suffering persons attention to ourselves. Whether the helper tries to enter into a dislocated world, relate to a convulsive generation, or speak to a dying.
It is a time to be with you, lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to jerusalem, to golgotha, and to the final victory over death. Quotations by henri nouwen, dutch clergyman, born january 24, 1932. Jan 1, 2018 quotes and prayers from the writings of henri nouwen. Born in the netherlands, nouwen was ordained as a roman catholic priest and trained as a psychologist. He was in charge of caring for many mentally handicapped. A painting, a parable, and my friend, henri nouwen presented by sue mosteller, csj duration. In this book, henri nouwen combines creative case studies of ministry with stories from diverse cultures and religious traditions in preparing a new model for. For jesus, there are no countries to be conquered, no ideologies to be imposed, no people to be dominated. Henri nouwens weakness was his strength christianity today. Pdf this article is the first in a series of two dealing with henri nouwens contribution to pastoral care. The healing power of presence, a visit with henri nouwen. The experience of the fullness of time, during which god is so present, so real, so tangibly near that we can hardlyreadread more read full article. Michael christensen, an awardwinning professor of christian ministry and practice, and dr. You dont have to ignore the fact that you are deeply hurt.
Nouwen was a catholic priest who taught at several theological institutes and universities in his home country of the netherlands and in the united states. That experience was profoundly meaningful and healing for nouwen he spent the rest of his life in that community. He shared the final years of his life with people with mental and physical disabilities at the larche daybreak community in. The wounded healer in a time of pandemic millennial. Henri nouwen wrote the first edition to this book 45 years ago in 1972. This article is the first in a series of two dealing with henri nouwens contribution to pastoral care. Henri nouwen discovering depth in the smallest of things, we experience the resiliency of the human spirit. Available as an audiobook for the first time ever, discernment. Why you should know the work of henri nouwen grotto network. I was introduced to henri nouwens writing with finding my way home which was compiled after his death from writing and talks he had given. Central to the ministry of soul shepherding is being a wounded healer who serves others in jesus name.
A hopefilled and profoundly simple book that speaks directly to those who want to be of service in their church or community, but have found the traditional ways often threatening and ineffective. In the early days of my ministry, in the mid 1970s, i went through a big henri nouwen stage, where i read everything that came from his pen. Nouwen archives and research center at the university of torontos st. Nouwen was born in 1932 so by the time he wrote this book hed been a ministering catholic priest for well over a decade. Henri nouwen in his book the wounded healer laments that most christian leaders are not prepared to be spiritual leaders for hurting people. The following is excerpted from our book contemplative mysticism. May 23, 2017 henri nouwen wrote the first edition to this book 45 years ago in 1972. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing not healing, not curing that is a friend who cares. Quote from henry nouwens the wounded healer compassion. Nouwen had mentioned to me his concern that his reach would be narrowed if he were defined by this one aspect of his character.
He took up residence at larche, a community in france where people with differing intellectual disabilities live in community together as equals. There are only children, women and men to be loved. Henri nouwen, gay priest and wounded healerqueer saints. The priest who wrote it was named henri nouwen, and almost a decade before, in 1972, as a newly minted instructor at yale divinity school, he had published a. A daybook of wisdom and faith, which i last read from in 2015 and he has just spoken of gratitude again. A lenten prayer by henri nouwen the spiritual life network. Rebecca laird, who was nouwens student at yale divinity school. Henri nouwen society hope and healing archives henri. Prayers from the genesee while reading bill hulls book choose the life, where bill hull ended his book with henri nouwens prayers. Henri nouwen society prayer archives henri nouwen society. The wounded healer as a spiritual guide henri nouwen. It is the lords presence among his people that can give us peace even as we share a lenten journey unlike any in my lifetime in the midst of the covid19 pandemic. Jan 31, 2017 the priest who wrote it was named henri nouwen, and almost a decade before, in 1972, as a newly minted instructor at yale divinity school, he had published a book titled the wounded healer. Nouwen 193296 was a dutch roman catholic priest, writer, lecturer, and spiritual director.
I read the book and embraced nouwens notion that our wounds can become a source of healing in our relationships with others. I confess a visceral envy upon reading of the hours henri was able to sit and watch the light change over the painting which is the object of this book. Reading the signs of daily life invites you to adopt nouwen as your personal spiritual guide. When henri nouwen visited shalem, lin ludy recorded the discussion, which we think offers timely thoughts on healing presence and joy during this holy season. Nov 10, 2015 henri nouwen was a wellknown and wellrespected priest and author. Came across an excerpt from henri nouwens book a cry for mercy. Perhaps older brothers, i count myself among them, lack gratitude because we have expected it from others. Let me begin with the words henri nouwens favorite saint, francis of assisi, said when greeting those he met on his journey, may the lord give you peace.
College of saint benedict and saint johns university digital commons 44,434 views. Nouwen has also been gifted with the answers to solve the condition of nuclear man and isolation. Still, in friendship touch often gives more life than words. New henri nouwen meditation book reaches out to spiritual. Aug 11, 2003 the following is excerpted from our book contemplative mysticism. After shalems friday morning meditation on healing, henri nouwen joined in the discussion. Jul 29, 2019 henri nouwen the wounded healer pdf posted on july 29, 2019 by admin 24 quotes from the wounded healer. The main question is not, how can we hide our wounds.