Nouwen Then by Christopher de Vinck

From Publishers Weekly
When Henri Nouwen died on September 26, 1996, he left behind a legacy of love and hope to ministers striving to offer a gracious word to the suffering. In his book The Wounded Healer, Nouwen poignantly and powerfully laid open his own heart and soul to share the message that pastors could not be very effective as healers without embracing their own suffering. Nouwen's book, and the ones that followed, touched millions of lives. His work with the severely handicapped at L'Arche, in France and at Toronto's Daybreak continued his own ministry of love and hope. De Vinck gathers the reflections of several writers and pastors on the meaning that Nouwen has brought to their lives. For example, Tim Jones (The Art of Prayer) notes that Nouwen's writings, especially his journals and his writings on prayer, helped him to realize that he "knew [he] had permission to speak not as a spiritual genius but as a soul who was simply, imperfectly seeking God." Fred Rogers (a.k.a. "Mr. Rogers") reflects on his personal relationship with Nouwen and on the ways in which Nouwen "encouraged [him] to grow into a thoughtful person who cares about the essentials of life." Other contributors meditate on Nouwen's influence on their lives as they met him through his books or on his direct influence through their personal relationships with him. Together these reflections are a celebration of the memory of a great teacher whose life was a testimony to his teachings on compassion and faith. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Next to Thomas Merton, Henri NouwenAa Dutch Roman Catholic priest who spent most of his life in North America and died in 1996 as chaplain of the L'Arche community in MontrealAis arguably the most influential spiritual writer of the latter half of the 20th century. One of his books was titled The Wounded Healer, and BBC producer Ford's well-written biography reveals just how wounded Nouwen was. While not a tell-all, Ford's book perhaps provides more detail on Nouwen's personal life than many readers will care to know. Still, it does show the human side of a spiritual writer who has touched many people, Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish alikeAa restless spirit whose personal crises, which were the substance of his writings, were so much like the personal crises of the ordinary believer. De Vinck, a spiritual writer, has gathered reflections by various people who were touched by Nouwen or his work. Some, like John Mogabgab, Nouwen's research assistant at Yale, knew him well. Others knew him only through his writings but were transformed by them. Given the tremendous popularity of Nouwen's works, both of these volumes should find a place in all but the smallest libraries.AAugustine J. Curley, O.S.B., Newark Abbey, NJ
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

ISBN: 9780310224624
Publisher: Zondervan