Jesus and Mary: Finding Our Sacred Center

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Both parts of this book, the homily on Mary and the journal of Henri Nouwen's pilgrimage to Lourdes,deal with his insights into his relationship with Jesus and Mary. Mary is his "gentle guide" who takes him by the hand and leads him into deeper union with her son. Nouwen invites us to find our inner child and rid ourselves of the "false adulthood" of our times.

Genres: Spirituality

66 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1993

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

[Ce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nouwen tiene esa capacidad de hablar al corazón de forma sencilla y directa. Leer sus escritos, es como sentarse a hablar con un viejo amigo, pero con el adicional de que el diálogo es espiritual. A veces en la rutina nos perdemos y perdemos de vista quién es el centro de nuestro corazón. Henri nos recuerda que María Santísima es una excelente Madre, porque siempre que nos amparamos a ella, nos termina conduciendo al corazón de su Amado Hijo. Y allí, con El Amado... lo complejo se vuelve sencillo, el temor se vuelve paz y las angustias Gozo.

[Slade Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to read Nouwen’s brief thoughts on Mary. One of the few works of his where I can really see his Catholicism shining through. Very refreshing.

[Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is beautiful in its simplicity. There are two parts of this small book, the first being a sermon to priests on retreat...but the material is good food for thought for everyone who wants to deepen their relationship with Mary, Mother of God.

The second part is about Nouwen's trip to Lourdes. It was great to walk with the author in his simple thought process. It was a short but very meaningful journey. I think it's relatable if you have ever struggled with vocation(i.e. what you feel called to by God), feeling loved by God, or really felt a need for peace in your life.

It's a book worth your slow reading, or during meditation.

[London]

Decent read, not bad by any means. A couple of questionably written things when talking about Mary in my opinion, but to each their own. A few good quotable sayings for sure!

“Anguish is interrupted love. When the love we most need to receive is being withdrawn from us and the love we most want to give is not welcome, then our hearts are torn to pieces and thrown into the darkness of anguish.”

“I see now… how I used to speak more ‘about’ Jesus than ‘to’ him. Most of all, I see now how Jesus had become more of an argument for the moral life than the door to the mystical life which is the life in communion of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interest Nouwen helps the reader to understand that at the heart of Catholic theology is the link between Jesus & Mary. Mary, for Nouwen, is a vehicle in which the worship of Jesus occurs. Why we can ask for her intercession, is because she was his earthly mother, and therefore is also our mother because of what Jesus tells Mary & John at the end of his life. The 2nd part chronicles his journey to Lourdes, where visions of Mary had taken place. Quite interesting.