Eternal Seasons: A Liturgical Journey With Henri J.M. Nouwen

by Henri J.M. Nouwen, Michael Ford

The cycle of the liturgical year engages us with an entirely different rhythm than our usual frenzied pace. It invites us to live time in eternity, to discover a new understanding of God and creation.

Henri Nouwen lived the liturgical year with sensitivity and imagination. The feasts and seasons inspired his sermons on the great mysteries of our faith. And praying the liturgical year gave him a glimpse of eternity in the present moment.

Nouwen s responses to the spiritual seasons were often delicately woven into the fabric of his writing. Eternal Seasons gathers, for the first time, selections for an entire liturgical year from forty of Nouwen s books.

This valuable companion features a thoughtful introduction for each of the liturgical seasons, followed by a generous selection of brief, readable passages. Whether focusing on the tenor of the season, the many dimensions of a feast day, or the import of a particular saint, these readings enable us to reflect and pray in closer harmony with the church s year.

Eternal Seasons is ideal for personal reflection, group settings, and as a fresh resource for liturgical ministers of all Christian faiths.

Genres: Christian, Spirituality

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, theologian, psychologist, professor, and spiritual writer whose work profoundly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality. Born in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, in 1932, Nouwen pursued religious studies and was ordained a priest in 1957. His intellectual curiosity led him to study psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and later at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas, where he explored the connection between faith and mental health. Throughout his life, Nouwen remained committed to integrating pastoral care, psychology, and spiritual theology in a way that addressed the emotional and existential needs of believers.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.

Reviews

[Betsy Schwarzentraub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep going back to this book by Dutch priest Henri Nouwen, with excerpts from his writings focused on the “spiritual journey through the Church’s Year.” He goes straight to the heart of God’s love for us and the work of the Spirit, connected to the natural rhythm of the worship year. No matter how lost I feel in today’s wild storms, his insights assure me of our essential bearings. I highly recommend this.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying reading this Nouwen book during Lent. I've once again picked up the practice of fasting something during this season, wiht the expectation that it will allow me to carve out time to reflect. This book has been a helpful tool for reflection...I guess Nouwen always is.

[Robbie Bashore]

I made an attempt to read the Lent parts during Lent this year. I partially succeeded. Seems like a good resource for several liturgical seasons.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henri Nouwen is one of my spiritual heroes. this one did not disappoint. read this for EfM book club