Posted March 7, 2006 Book: Henri Nouwen: His Life and Vision Author: Michael O’Laughlin Orbis Books, Maryknoll, NY, 2005, pp.172 An Excerpt from the Jacket: Through more than fifty books Henri Nouwen touched countless people with his compelling interpretation of Christian faith. His immense impact came in part from his willingness to draw deeply on his own experience, inviting readers to share his own spiritual journey. That journey led him from his home in Holland to the United States, from a series of prestigious academic posts to a Trappist monastery, then to live among the poor in Latin America, and finally to Canada, where he found his home at L’Arche Daybreak, living in community with disabled adults. Nouwen’s life was itself a spiritual text that reflected the very themes he shared in his writings: the struggle between intimacy, community, and solitude; the gospel challenge to follow Christ in “downward mobility”; the question of how to make our life and death a gift to others; discovering the face of Christ in the world; and realizing our own identity as God’s beloved. Richly illustrated with 140 photos — including many never before published — Henri Nouwen: His Life and Vision provides a many-faceted portrait of one of the most beloved spiritual writers of our time. Excerpts from the Book: “What I am craving is not so much recognition, praise, or admiration, as simple friendship. There may be some around me, but I cannot perceive or receive it. Within me lies a deadness that leaves me cold, tired, and rigid. . . .I attended a small workshop about the basic meaning of being a Christian, but little of what was said reached my heart. I realized that the only thing I really wanted was a handshake, an embrace, a kiss, or a smile; I received none. Finally, I fell asleep in the late afternoon to escape it all.” “You have been wounded in many ways. The more you open yourself to being healed, the more you will discover how deep your wounds are. . . .The great challenge is living your wounds through instead of thinking them through. . . . Your heart is greater than your wounds.” “The real question before our death, then, is not How much can I still accomplish, or How much influence can I still exert? But, How can I live so that I can continue to be fruitful when I am no longer here among my family and friends?” Table of Contents: A low land by the sea Family Child priest World War II Seminary Dutch theology Cardinal Alfrink Vatican II University training America beckons Anton Boisen The Menninger Foundation Notre Dame Problems in Holland Yale Merton Monasticism Two groundbreaking books The teacher Vincent van Gogh A troubled heart, an artistic temperament Latin America A new agenda Harvard Trosly Letters to Marc about Jesus Canada Back to basics Learning from the disabled Adam Sister Sue Mosteller Plunging into crisis Celebrating life Flying high The return of the Prodigal Son New York, New York Confronting death and dying The life of the beloved Can you drink the cup? A final sabbatical The death of Henri Nouwen Conclusion