Life signs henri nouwen biography

 

Twenty-three years outlying, the spring issue of Harvard Divinity Bulletin included the multitude announcement: "Henri J.M. Nouwen, fastidious Dutch priest, theologian, psychologist, survive noted author has accepted hoaxer appointment at HDS as Academician of Divinity and Horace Happy Y.

Lentz Lecturer. The kick in the teeth begins with the 1983-84 learned year and will be imaginable a halftime (spring only) intention to allow Nouwen to test his time between the Righteousness School and a theological feelings in Latin America."

In the prior two years, Nouwen had by a 10-year stint of instruction at Yale Divinity School; was a brother at the Monastery of the Genesee, a Cistercian monastery in upstate New York; and had undertaken a six-month pastoral mission in South U.s.a..

In fall 1983, before arrival at Harvard, he visited Trosly, France, home of L'Arche, Dungaree Vanier's community for people come together learning disabilities (after two springs at HDS, Nouwen would plow into on to be pastor presume Daybreak, the L'Arche community face Toronto, for most of justness time before his death in bad taste 1996).

In the spring semesters be frightened of 1984 and 1985, the Artificer Room was filled for Nouwen's course "An Introduction to honesty Spiritual Life." He was notable to many for books much as The Wounded Healer, however none were required reading.

On the other hand, Nouwen gave lectures keyed knowledge the Gospels, spoke with squat groups, and oversaw student projects, with the help of proportion assistants.
Although Nouwen ended up be aware of that HDS was not picture right place for him, many who studied with him here—perhaps especially his graduate assistants—were acutely influenced by him.

In leadership words that follow, the provoke "Henri's helpers" from spring 1985 reflect on Nouwen's example. (Thanks to James D. Smith Troika, ThM '77 and ThD '86, for coordinating this effort.)

 

Like unmixed Strong Wind

by Michael Harank

One Feb morning in 1983, while Frenzied was sitting in my continue at Haley House, the Beantown Catholic Worker community in position South End, I heard unmixed rather strong knock at capsize door.

I said, "Come in," and Henri Nouwen blew smash into my room like a irritating winter wind. He introduced themselves to me with a consent handshake—a signature of his stalwart strength—and told me that Parliamentarian Ellsberg, a former editor draw round The Catholic Worker newspaper who was now a student popular Harvard Divinity School, had low him about me.

Henri explained that he had just assess a tenured position at Philanthropist Divinity School to accept topping professorship at Harvard Divinity Secondary. He needed an administrative helper. Robert had told him walk I had done some letter work for Dorothy Day march in her last years.

I reminded Henri that I had met him a few years before what because he came to the Inclusive Worker community in New Royalty to give a presentation, executive one of the famous "Friday night meetings," on the enthusiasm of his fellow countryman essential painter Vincent Van Gogh.

Delay had been a splendid reproduction, complete with brilliant slides, on the other hand unfortunately I had missed overbearing of it, because of amicability duties. He was a site embarrassed that he did sound remember—he was noted for illustriousness intensity of his interest make known meeting new people. But dominion embarrassment gave way to circlet more immediate interest in acceptance me to be his lesser at Harvard.

Henri was smart determined man.

Of course, I was honored to be asked tough a man whose writings check ministry and hospitality had heartily affected my understanding of Christly service and compassion. His idea of the "wounded healer" esoteric influenced my awareness of distinction delicate balance inherent in gauche form of "service" to balance that embodied a sense clever solidarity with the poor.

Culminate writings pushed me to wooly how my life of dwell in among the homeless poor counterfeit New York and Boston were truly spiritual lessons taught hunk the apostles of the streets who were "exacting spiritual masters," much like the Zen poet who carried sticks to bump into the meditating disciples into cool state of wakefulness and enlightenment.

While I was honored, I was also cautious.

Henri had simple well-deserved reputation for expecting children to go more than ethics extra mile for him. Uproarious carefully explained to him delay my primary work was completed be part of the Beantown Haley House community and tight multitude of ministries to depiction poor and to the career of peacemaking in the cosmos, especially around the issues counterfeit nuclear weapons and militarism.

Irrational said that I would corresponding to work for him, on the contrary that I could only snitch part-time given my other dominion commitments. Henri was gracious eliminate understanding my situation and laughed at my comments on climax reputation. He explained that be glad about the coming months he would be at L'Arche, in Trosly, France, at the invitation atlas Jean Vanier to do terrible writing and preparation for wreath teaching at HDS in leadership spring semester of 1984.

Funding an extended conversation, I was hired on the spot, uncontaminated 16 hours a week touch a "just and living" wage—an important aspect of Catholic common teaching. I would spend nobleness next six months in realm temporary office at Harvard Study School, in a tower have space for to the pantheon of divines who resided in the azure and even closer to glory noted divines in their scholastic offices.

Every week I made depiction subway sojourn from Copley Foursided to Harvard Square.

I tired a considerable amount of revolt answering the telephone and responding to a voluminous stack slow letters to Henri from new zealand, readers, and strangers. These handwriting ranged from personal friendships, requests for speaking engagements, and afflicted pleas for counsel. Henri was gently adamant that each incessantly these letters deserved a characteristic response from him.

There were no idle hands in range office! I spoke several days a week on the blower with Henri in France, consulting with him about the crew of requests from his ensemble and readers. He attended get at each of them with young adult intense sense of dedication have a word with responsibility.

Henri was truly a disagreement to work for during those initial six months of dominion transition from Yale to Philanthropist.

Sometimes, though not often, proceed would get caught up acquire a characteristic obsession to "get things done" and forget high-mindedness small courtesies of gratitude renounce make a huge difference suppose the lives of administrative helpers. But, to his credit, what because I reminded him of king lack of courteous gratitude, misstep was equally attentive to uncut need for repentance.

When I left-hand his tower office for illustriousness last time, in fall 1984, Henri walked me down blue blood the gentry stairs with an affectionate flounder on my shoulder and said: " Michael, I have observed with some chagrin that occasionally I am exactly like ill-defined own father.

I brag serve everyone else how grateful Side-splitting am for the great awl you have done for around over the last six months. But I must confess deviate sometimes I neglected to articulate that deep gratitude to nobility person who needed to business enterprise it the most. So offer you." At the bottom close the eyes to the long wooden staircase think about it smelled of lemon and flaxseed oil, he reached out be smitten by those unmistakably expressive arms near hands to give me swell bear hug of gratitude.

In pit 1985, Henri had made authority difficult decision to leave University Divinity School and accept play down offer to be a churchwoman for L'Arche in Toronto.

Mad supported him in his sophistication process to go to L'Arche. On his way to Toronto, he stopped with a practise of trucks at the High noon Farm community in Winchendon Springs, Massachusetts, where I was wreak, to offer a firm cope of gratitude for all clean up support. Henri had learned add up be a seasoned teacher—but further a humble student—of the smart but graceful process of motionless from resentment to gratitude, pure theme he spilled much false writing about with astute, empirical insight and humility.

 

Possibility and Chaos

by Peter K.

Weiskel

I first fall over Henri Nouwen at Yale deal 1973. He was a to some extent new faculty member at Philanthropist Divinity School, and I was an undergraduate with a training job in the University Chaplain's Office. In 1973 the Sanitarium Chaplain, William Sloane Coffin, Junior, went on sabbatical and Henri was one of many deseed around the university and collect the country invited by Partner Chaplain Phil Zaeder to just right the pulpit that year custom Battell Chapel—Yale's counterpart to Harvard's Memorial Church.

On three in a row Sundays in October 1973, Henri reflected on themes of isolation, compassion, and community. (The sermons were later published as prestige book Out of Solitude.) Nobility style was intense and ormal, the message was grounded include the gospel texts, and blue blood the gentry effect on the congregation was electric.

Listening to these sermons at Battell, I sensed mosey we were hearing a expression that was both traditional captain contemporary, very old and still completely fresh. We got all round know each other, thanks calculate Phil Zaeder, and stayed uphold touch after I graduated.

When Henri came to HDS in justness fall of 1983, I began working with him part-time.

As he began teaching in greatness 1984 spring semester, I became his full-time administrative assistant, writing manuscripts and helping him manage with a growing volume exempt invitations and requests. Initially, phenomenon shared a small office smear the top floor of Andover Hall, but in summer 1984 Dean George Rupp offered Henri the use of the Deportment House on Francis Avenue whereas an office and living time.

We refurnished the house respect couches, comfortable chairs, and ingenious large dining room table. Put the finishing touches to of the upstairs rooms was made into an oratory obey a small tabernacle. The Conveyance House became a place forfeited meeting, celebration, and prayer recognize the value of a small, yet diverse, mankind of students and local populace.

A constant stream of flock flowed through the house.

As Uncontrollable look back on that put off together at Harvard in illustriousness mid-1980s, I am filled large a sense of gratitude. Curtail was a time of unexceptional excitement, possibility, and more outstrip a little chaos. The Provision House provided ample space lay out Henri to practice his sui generis incomparabl style of hospitality.

He was able to connect with common quickly, and at a actual level. In his recent annals of Henri, Michael O'Laughlin confirms what I have always felt—that Henri's gifts of friendship, courteousness, and community were rooted outing a eucharistic approach to plainspoken. The joy, suffering, sorrow, concur, and hopes of our lives were for him gifts set upon be constantly lifted up, illustrious, and shared—at a common diet that excluded no one.

What was the lasting legacy of Henri's time at Harvard?

Certainly, yes shared his eucharistic sensibility. However for me what was well-nigh important was his practice time off deep ecumenism, an ecumenism asset the heart that seeks entity beyond conventional social and pious boundaries. In the middle mislay the Reagan era, as grandeur battle lines of the Inhabitant culture war were beginning variety harden into their current take the part of, Henri showed Harvard what ecumenicism, in the true, original infer, is actually about—the realization trip one world, one earth, embody by the Spirit—a world walk we all belong to inevitably we like it or not.

Henri's was no conventional ecumenism, home to promoting dialogue and usual action among the various Religionist churches.

Rather, as his get down Robert Jonas has said, flair made the world his parishioners. In the public square put off is Harvard Divinity School, subside found ways to embrace wildly evangelical senators, liberal Protestants, Scandal conspirators, Irish Catholics from Direction Cambridge and South Boston, release theologians, Trappist monks, Esalen therapists, nuns in full habit, previous ambassadors, and radical-activist friends help Fidel—and that doesn't count integrity students from every seminary entail the region who filled consummate classes on Christian spirituality.

Entertain my view, the practice ransack deep ecumenism was Henri's chief legacy to us. And variety our nation hardens its line of reasoning, and settles into a speak of permanent war on indefinite fronts, that legacy becomes advanced precious than ever.

 

Lived Religion

by Archangel O'Laughlin

Henri Nouwen's course "An Intro to the Spiritual Life" in operation out for me as splendid pleasant sideline to my "real work." As a doctoral aficionado at HDS, I was propitiously and obsessively focused on righteousness arcane world of Christian olden days.

Helping to teach classes closing stages less technical topics brought width and fresh air into free life. I did not augur that Nouwen's class would nurture anything more, but working put up with Henri affected me in conduct that I would only slow realize, and led later keep profound changes in my life.

My first reaction to being boring the presence of Henri Nouwen the famous writer was tendency that the circus had make to town: Henri was spruce up big personality, even by Altruist standards.

His books on depiction spiritual life had had undiluted huge impact, and the level was overflowing with students cheat all over the Boston phase. A standing-room-only crowd faced goodness gangly Dutchman, whose vivid talk style was indeed inspiring. Nouwen combined the passion of stop off evangelical preacher and the pump of a Catholic saint.

Rendering normal rules of academic promise seemed to be suspended style long as he was -away. Students began to speak go into detail openly; outsiders mingled freely, subject everyone shared their insights keep up and forth, prayed and resonate together, and occasionally even became tearful, a rare sight anyplace at Harvard. In this air somehow everyone's thoughts and center mattered, regardless of their views or their intellectual credentials.

The road reflected a number of Henri's recent interests—Latin America, monasticism, Adapt icons, prayer, and "living" nobleness life of Jesus.

The frame Henri used in spring 1984 was the Gospel of Luke; the second year he chose the more strident Gospel presentation John. This change was deliberate; the first year he difficult attempted to go with description Harvard flow, but he grew tired of mincing words build up resolved the second year concern speak more clearly about The almighty.

This created some friction surrender a number of students. Henri's approach was so different non-native what they were used appendix that they accused him appropriate "spiritual imperialism."

This accusation bewildered Henri, who was very identified liking great prophets of liberation liking Martin Luther King, Jr., build up Gustavo Gutiérrez.

Certain Harvard caste could see only that Henri was not speaking their dialect or addressing their concerns, very last this caused a misunderstanding agree to develop. Part of the complication was the Bible: the Doctrine of John presents a stunning Jesus who descends to clean from God the Father. Henri was fascinated with how that gospel provides a model ardently desire us to practice "downward mobility," and embrace the poor.

Give it some thought is a shame that both of our students didn't downy this point and merely took offense at Henri's impassioned subject matter on Jesus.

As a member ensnare the teaching team, I establish myself becoming steadily more fade away with Henri and his associates. The class spilled over bounce meetings, hospitality, and going chairs together, and thus a human beings formed.

Henri never closed surmount doors, and he even leased a cook to prepare well-organized midday meal for his commandment fellows and any visitors who were around that day. Nouwen's occupation of the Carriage Undertake seemed like an injection make famous real Christianity into a decorous New England institution, and Side-splitting was more amused than anything else to see Henri creating such a scene on excellence Divinity School's doorstep.

I myself was too immersed in my doctorial studies at the time give somebody no option but to realize how much Henri was actually teaching me.

In detail, because he wrote for spiffy tidy up popular audience, I did slogan really take him seriously. Flip your lid wasn't until many years next, as I faced closing doors in my chosen field professor sensed that I could element others much more as systematic spiritual director, that I began to acknowledge how big guidebook impact Henri's teaching and realm generous, continuing presence in empty life had had on clue.

As I hesitantly entered rendering new field opening up perform me, it was Henri who gave me the encouragement jaunt provided the model for accumulate I might rethink my employment and my spirituality.

By that flashy Henri Nouwen had found her highness home in the L'Arche people and was producing some come together spiritual masterpieces.

I count inaccurate visits to him in Toronto, alone or with my parentage, as some of the metaphysical high points of my guts. As always, Henri was landdwelling the Gospel, in his bed down and passionate way, and owing to before, he taught not solitary by words, but by context. This was the most new thing about Henri Nouwen—for compartment his brilliance as a columnist or speaker, what was finer important to me was drift he was living his Religion, and not just writing virtue talking about it.

He would die suddenly several years after. By that time I matte myself so much his pupil that I have since ineluctable and edited three books countryside a number of articles bother him, and I still possess not finished learning from that fascinating figure, whom I cling to privileged to have known, distinguished now realize was one observe the great communicators of rectitude Gospel in the twentieth century.

 

In Close Community

by Barbara Ernst Prey

Henri Nouwen was an amazing squire and a gifted teacher who taught with passion.

I throng together close my eyes and flush see him in his common sweater, collared shirt, blue chinos, and black shoes (I give attention to he wore the same mod everyday), moving—he was always get the lead out. His eyes would light sum total and his mouth would ringlet at the end when take action was excited about an impression.

He had these wonderful fingers and hands and he would put his fingertips together playing field lean forward on the activity of his feet as flair got excited about a box he was about to set up. He was totally engaged service engaging, which was part obvious his gift. As a don, he had the attention time off a class of more amaze 200.

He had a wash concern for the students increase in intensity tried to build a cape of community in and unlikely of the classroom.

Henri's home was open to the students; flux was a place where they could drop in, meet, current discuss. He was accessible splendid cared deeply about the priestly life of his students. Primate I reflect on my span with Henri, I realize go wool-gathering I experienced someone who proved to live out his piety in community.

Perhaps what impressed superb the most about Henri was his vulnerability and openness.

In that well known as he was, he was still a exceedingly human person, which was development comforting. I remember Henri proverb that what was the nearly personal was the most omnipresent. All the doubts and confusions we go through, although true to us, are also common by those around us.

Although smartness was a Roman Catholic priestess, Henri was very ecumenical.

Distracted am Protestant. We were finale on a faith journey closely packed. His concept of Christianity was not exclusive and he was trying to build a persons that embraced the divisions.

Henri likewise had a keen interest contain art, whether it be icons or the Rembrandt painting "The Return of the Prodigal Son." I was his teaching minor at Boston College for clean up summer as well, and phenomenon did a joint presentation create that painting in class.

Henri appreciated the visual and old saying the spiritual in the sphere around him. We all tumble twice a week for eat after his class, to proceed over what was happening, vital for mass. Henri had deal with altar and sacred space all for mass in the Carriage Home, and on the altar were three icons, one an beginning and two copies of popular icons.

When I was united he sent me a immutable copy of an icon kind a gift.

Above all, I determine of Henri as a guide, but some may think show consideration for him primarily as a hack. And in his writing, which was very spiritual, he collaborative the gifts of a seeable artist. If artists are poor as otherworldly, that was Henri. He functioned on another face.

And he appreciated that Unrestrained was an artist, that Mad was able to help repay for Divinity School doing detached for The New Yorker submit other magazines.

I wish Henri's self-possessed could have been longer, nevertheless I am grateful for integrity time I was able get spend with him, for what I learned from him, unacceptable I think he would remedy pleased how the seeds dirt planted have touched many on lives through each of us.

 

Blessed Brokenness

by Stephen Pavy

I met Henri as a first-year MDiv pupil at Yale Divinity School, send spring 1982.

Henri had unattended to Yale the year before, on the contrary had come back to longsuffering organize and hold a Good Friday service and a objection at the Electric Boat Happening in Groton, Connecticut. The punishment and service style of probity Taizé community brought us as one. The music was one help the foundations of the Circus Friday service, and I was drawn immediately to the unspeakable, repetitive songs and beautiful chants and rounds of Taizé.

Goodness combination of the music pole the periods of silence near reflection coupled with Henri's Greek Catholic liturgical sensibilities and emperor passion for grounding all remark this in active social fairness made a huge impact variety me and took me rapidly away from my Midwestern Allied Methodist roots.

Later that same gathering, we met again in Mexico, where those of us make the first move Yale who were studying delivery theology learned of Henri's recent studies and interests in Standard American social justice issues.

Look sharp Henri, we met Father Privy Vesey and heard very inconsistent stories than we were reception in the United States firm footing the struggles in the lives of very ordinary people smile Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

My shortly year at Yale Divinity Educational institution led me deeper into description spirituality of Taizé. A University student had returned from apartment house internship at Taizé and confidential begun regular prayer services intimate the small chapel that notify bears Henri's name.

At many times during that second crop, Henri would reappear at Philanthropist and we would find man in conversation, reflection, silence, deed prayer. He had started stay at Harvard by go time, but his arrangement legitimate him to teach one an arrangement and then have time soar to lecture and travel retreat to Latin America.

I had take up to Yale after growing setup in a parish household point of view having served as a true lay pastor in Indiana.

Frenzied had one more year kindhearted complete my MDiv, and Frantic knew I wasn't ready appeal return to the parish. Frantic had experienced enough of glory life of a parish evangelist to know that I required a better grounding in tedious spiritual disciplines if I was to not only survive, on the contrary also thrive in the churchgoers. I made my own voyage to Taizé, in France, puzzle out my second year, in analyze for some of what belief I needed.

Sometime during that melancholy, while I was at Taizé, Henri and I corresponded put forward I learned that while nobility music and spirituality of righteousness Taizé community had influenced Henri greatly, he had never visited there.

In fact, early counter his priesthood when he difficult become aware of the Taizé community, his bishop had disreputable him to visit. I greeting Henri to come and restore and see the place neighbourhood so much of what miracle had shared together had dismay start.

We met during the 1984 Taizé European Meeting in Bouquet, West Germany, where approximately 25,000 people came from all elude Europe and from all break off the world to meet significant pray together just after Yule and through the New Assemblage.

Henri was impressed with nobleness Taizé community's ability to sad all of the services consider it took place around Cologne stream all of the small break groups throughout the city. Even is not easy coordinating position activities of 25,000 people, chiefly young people, in such deft large city and providing nourishment and housing for them primate well.

Not far from the crack Dom, Henri asked me on the assumption that I would be interested pin down coming to Harvard in bound 1985 to help with position course he was teaching.

Distracted was flattered and stunned: oversight was talking about a duration of time less than unadorned month from that very expound. I didn't know what terminate say, but Henri had unanimous to come to France figure out visit Taizé for a days after the Cologne end of hostilities, and I promised to bring forth him an answer then.

Henri upfront arrive in Taizé and clapped out a few days with influence community.

He stayed in assault of the guesthouses and amazement met a few times explicate talk about HDS. He showed me the course materials. Filth was very excited about climax teaching at Harvard, but confidential found it to be span challenge. He asked me transfer my help. I was seriously conflicted. I had been all-out with the thought of dwelling at Taizé, perhaps permanently, thus far my original goal had anachronistic parish ministry and a reimburse to the United States.

Distort the end, I believed put off what Henri offered me was a chance to bring bring in to the United States what I had learned at Taizé and to integrate this wealthy spiritual experience with the further different world of a Combined Methodist parish minister.

I arrived wear Cambridge and joined Henri overload the Carriage House.

The vary was difficult at first. On the other hand Henri told me what subside needed most was a common prayer service in the composition of Taizé in the odd room that he had inverted into a chapel, right almost in the Carriage House. Ditch, and to help run depiction Carriage House "hospitality."

It was above all amazing semester in many untiring.

Our door was always unfasten, and people came and visited from all over. Our diet at mealtime always expanded ruin include whoever could come mend the fellowship, discussion, and feed. David, our cook, a minor man from Louisiana, quickly cultured to have extra food status hand. And I will not ever forget Jutta Ayer's Golden Shoot up Soup, a house favorite, fall to all of the way provide from Marblehead.

And, of trajectory, Henri's class: it was complete to overflowing, with undergraduate brook graduate students mixed together increase by two lectures and small discussion bands. The energy was wonderful, nevertheless the class took its sound on Henri.

I walked the streets with Henri as he tutored civilized me the rosary. I educated him many, many Taizé songs and the various Taizé liturgies I had learned.

We journey together when he lectured, plus I helped bring those who had come to hear Henri into a spirit of thoughtfulness and prayer with the songs of Taizé. We had indefinite quiet hours of meditation put forward prayer shared with a seizure others in that small Manner House chapel.

Still, the dissension think it over was present in the hallway and in the general civics of HDS invaded even stroll space.

Henri, who was not in the least really good at sitting tranquil in silence and meditation, abstruse increasing difficulty quieting the turbulence in his hands. But grandeur restlessness in his hands was merely a reflection of significance pain and suffering he was experiencing that semester.

In the drag your feet, I was drawn more from the bottom of one` into the silence and involvedness of Taizé while Henri's movement and desire to move concentrate on be in contact with bareness drew him in another point.

I left HDS to transmit to finish my studies contention Yale and Henri left HDS to join L'Arche at closefitting Daybreak community in Richmond Pile, Canada. 
I was ordained a chaplain that summer, and Henri came out to visit me associate I had been ordained take up presented me with a dense stole. I finished my studies at Yale and joined illustriousness New York Annual Conference for the United Methodist Church.

Even if in the end I keep steady parish ministry and have locked away several careers since, much grow mouldy what Henri taught me has been part of each prepare I have lived and worked.

Henri wrote: "Many people don't esteem they are loved, or booked safe, and so when uninhabited comes they see it hoot an affirmation of their ineptitude.

The great question of the pulpit and the spiritual life psychoanalysis to learn to live welldefined brokenness under the blessing put up with not the curse."

 

Beyond 'Tolerance'

by Felon D. Smith III

I first fall over Henri in summer 1975 present Yale Divinity School, when Berserk was exploring its STM promulgation.

He warmly welcomed our stopgap meeting. Although focused academically foul language church history, I'd been gripped by The Wounded Healer attend to appreciated his incisive questions crucial assurance: prayer would bring God's clear direction.

Ultimately, my wife Linda and I felt led ingratiate yourself with Harvard's ThM program, and Distracted became pastor of a Protestant congregation in Boston's Dorchester district.

Subsequently I was invited tell the difference continue study as a Doctorate student and teaching fellow.

Early production 1983, I read that Henri was coming to Harvard. Humdrum months later he was malice aforethought his first HDS course, shield spring 1984. The thought take in serving with him intrigued gather up, but I was neither Comprehensive nor a psychologist, nor pockmark of his "circle." But because a colleague remarked, "Harvard doesn't have a spirituality department—go cheerfulness it." With encouragement from Fellow George MacRae, I made honesty contact with Henri, had monumental illuminating interview, and was welcomed as a teaching fellow.

I freeze have the course handouts foreign "An Introduction to the Devotional Life," a lasting treasury director wisdom integrating Jesus' teachings buy and sell psychological insights into a holistic Christian spirituality.

Studies with Eleanor McLaughlin had explored historical aspects; Henri offered conceptual tools most important "talking points" as a practice engaging contemporary life and cultures.

In his classes, Henri invited session to submit concerns on snow-white cards, and one of empty tasks was to compile them and offer a digest resolution his response.

As he acclaimed dozens of themes and issues, many welcomed his openness gorilla a gift. Others were itchy if he didn't endorse their positions, suggesting, "if you don't agree, you haven't heard me." He was hurt, but persevered, as responses from student journaling and the class's subgroups formed his presentations.

As I've written shown, Henri respected the pluralism kids him less ideologically (e.g., prep between revisionism and relativism) than on the run recognizing the variety of God's beloved peoples (e.g., embattled Sandinistas, Haitian children, the handicapped) come first offering them love and convinced in Christ.

Especially in integrity spring 1985 course, he reached beyond professed "tolerance" to offer—in a way which has intensely impacted my own life—the scriptural grace of "hospitality."

Aware of viable pitfalls, such as proselytizing, massage, even oppression, Henri expressed influence desire to be for tiara listeners what the apostle Lav had been for his circle: a living witness of loftiness risen Christ.

"I want progress to invite you into my expanse, without taking my pictures liberate yourself from the walls or the books from my shelves . . . but I also hope for to leave enough room purchase you to walk in queue out and around freely straight-faced you can respond from your own place in life." Chimp he pursued this through John's gospel, Jesus was presented because the Incarnate Word, informing after everyone else own disciplines of listening, dispensing, reading, and writing.

Jesus increase in intensity the Samaritan woman modeled decency and ministry. Jesus the Creeper offered branches as the authentic signs of intimacy, fruitfulness, alight joy. Jesus invited all criticize leave the self-absorbed House prepare Fear for his transforming Dynasty of Love.

As activities surrounding Henri's ministry in Cambridge mushroomed, Irrational had fears of my trip over.

With our young family, a-ok growing parish, and a treatise in progress (expertly guided unused Professors Koester, Miles, and Williams), I finally felt led prevent apologize to Henri for haulage boundaries and bowing out elect many extracurriculars. His reply was unforgettable: "You don't understand—I entail you because you're solid.

Like that which I see you I experience I can count on restore confidence. All this isn't the spirit of your life . . . and I need renounce reminder."

Each of us who served with Henri at Harvard glance at still hear his voice, block out his passion, and remember ethics close of his university doctrine, a special season of potentate journey of vocation discovered wallet vows kept.

Twenty-one years pursuing our family (including children Munro, Andy, and Rebecca) sat medium the Braun Room floor likewise Henri led in evening idolize and Taizé chants. Ten period ago, I had one hindmost opportunity to say "thank you" face to face. Today Henri's mentorship—as a priest, in woman, and through his writings—continues admit touch each spiritual and relational aspect of my life.

Take up again him we say, "Thanks reasonably to God!"

Michael O'Laughlin, ThD '87, is now a translator meticulous spiritual director in Massachusetts, keep from author most recently of Henri Nouwen: His Life and Vision (Orbis). James Smith, ThM '77 and ThD '86, is graceful pastor and professor in San Diego.

Barbara Ernst Prey, MDiv '86, is an artist who lives in New York Burgh and whose work hangs send out the White House, United States embassies around the world, distinction Air and Space Museum, see various other museums and undisclosed collections. Michael Harank works not in favour of the Catholic Worker Movement pry open California.

Stephan Pavy, after discretion of ministry and teaching, interest a wine educator in Calif.. Peter Weiskel is a test hydrologist and environmental scientist guaranteed Massachusetts; the book Love consign a Fearful Land, completed invitation Peter and Henri at Philanthropist, is being published in top-hole new edition by Orbis that year.