Love, Henri
Letters on the Spiritual Life
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Seven million copies of his books in print! This collection of over 100 unpublished letters from the bestselling author of such spiritual classics as The Return of the Prodigal Son and The Wounded Healer offers deep spiritual insight into human experience, intimacy, brokeness, and mercy.
Over the course of his life, Henri Nouwen wrote thousands of letters to friends, acquaintances, parishioners, students, and readers of his work all around the world. He corresponded in English, Dutch, German, French, and Spanish, and took great care to store and archive the letters decade after decade. He believed that a thoughtful letter written in love could truly change someone's life. Many people looked to Nouwen as a long distance spiritual advisor.
Love, Henri consists of over a hundred letters that stretch from the earliest years of Henri's career up through his last 10 years at L'Arche Daybreak. Rich in spiritual insights the letters highlight a number themes that emerged in both Henri's work over the years, including vocation, solitude, prayer, suffering, and perseverance in difficult times. These deeply spiritual letters, sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, ulimately demonstrate the rich value of communicating with God through others.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This invaluable collection of over 200 letters by the late Nouwen (The Wounded Healer), a beloved author, pastor, and priest, provides insight into his personal struggles, insecurities, and faith and offers the heartfelt guidance Nouwen shared so generously with individuals to a wide audience. After the introduction by inspirational speaker Bren Brown, Earnshaw, Nouwen's archivist, divides the letters into three sections: 1973 1985, when Nouwen taught at Yale and Harvard's divinity schools; 1986 1989, when he served as pastor at L'Arche Daybreak, a community north of Toronto that's home to disabled people and their assistants; and 1990 1996, during which he published 11 new books, lectured, and traveled extensively until his death. Brief introductions to each letter give context and inform the reader of Nouwen's relationship with his many correspondents, who include personal friends, colleagues, students, clergy, scholars, critics, readers of his books, grieving parents, and politicians. The courage and kindness with which Nouwen shares his vulnerabilities and honest feelings, combined with his willingness to provide direction, advice, companionship, and affection, ensure that Nouwen's legacy as inspired spiritual guide will continue, enhanced by this testimony to his sincere desire to live with gratitude, faith, and love.