Spiritual Journals: The Genesee Diary, Gracias!, the Road to Daybreak

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

This is a special gift edition of three of Henri Nouwen's internationally acclaimed and world-renowned spiritual journals. The Genesee Diary was written during a seven-month stay at the Trappist Abbey of Genesee in upstate New York, where Nouwen met the challenge "to face my restless self." In Gracias Nouwen reported on a six-month sojourn in Bolivia and Peru, where he came in touch with God's "option for the poor" and the conviction that "somewhere, somehow, I too had to make that option." The Road to Daybreak which chronicles a year spent at the L'Arche community for the mentally handicapped in Trosly, France, and records Nouwen's "spiritual struggle to say 'yes' to Jesus' invitation to 'Come follow me.'"

228 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1997

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

[Curt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended.

[Ceste Stanly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always so touched & moved by Henri's writings. I'm trying to read everything he has ever written

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving reading this book. It is helping me with a narrative aproach to discernment as Nouwen considers whether he's called to serve in Peru.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

never finished