The Heart of Henri Nouwen: His Words of Blessing

by Henri J.M. Nouwen, Michael J. Christensen

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of Nouwen's birth, Crossroad issued this anthology of the best of Henri Nouwen from our list. This volume focuses on the three themes that were closest to his own heart: hope in suffering, a personal relationship with God, and living for others.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published July 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

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. I've read it as a devotional, reflecting on what I've read each day. There has always been something very helpful, that has helped me through that day.

[Jillian P · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that collects many of Henry's thoughts. It surprised me to know that he was such a vulnerable person with regards to his personal relationships and his sense of belongingness as I am. This book has made me understand that we are all bound to a God who is of pure Love. Life would be easier if we look at the bigger picture, which leads to Eternity.

People are simply manifestations of His Divine love.
Our joy from deep communion with other souls is a reflection of a deeper joy that will yet unfold in a lasting communion with our Maker. If otherwise, our disappointments from the finiteness of people should not taint the infinite nature of God's grace and compassion for our individual struggles. If compassion were commonplace, there would be less heartaches in personal relationships with family. There would be less need for acceptance. Much energy would be divested to tell the world how much each and everyone is equal because we are all God's beloved.

[Kerrfunk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book introducing the reader to the writings (and the heart) of Dutch Catholic priest and theologian Henri Nouwen (1932-1936). Rebecca Laird structures the book around the four parts of Holy Communion, offering Nouwen passages in the themes of TAKE, BLESS, BREAK, and GIVE. I'm inspired both to read more Nouwen and to give this book as a gift.

[David Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good collection from the works of Henri Nouwen - that attempts to bring out nuggets from various books in order to get at what the authors felt was the heart of his work. Read with my reading partner and it made for good discussion each week.