November first is All Saints Day: a perfect time to think about Henri Nouwen, Dutch Catholic priest, writer, & theologian. He taught for nearly twenty years at the University of Notre Dame, and at both Yale & Harvard Divinity Schools. Then he was pastor for ten years at L’Arche Daybreak, a community of people with developmental disabilities, in Ontario, Canada.

I got to see and hear Brother Nouwen speak once at a regional Episcopalian gathering in San Francisco. He was both humble and funny. What a quiet, powerful presence.

 

But I know Nouwen best through his books, including The Wounded Healer, The Way of the Heart, and The Return of the Prodigal Son. And most recently, I cherished his Eternal Seasons as I researched my books on the Christian worship year.

Henri Nouwen’s thoughts and beliefs have helped shaped my understanding of life and love of God. I am most thankful.

Yours in faith,

Betsy Schwarzentraub

 

 

 

You can’t go wrong with any of his books.