Wounded Prophet: A Portrait of Henri J.M. Nouwen

by Michael Ford

Henri Nouwen, a Dutch Roman Catholic priest, was one of the most beloved and important spiritual writers of the twentieth century. Since his death in 1996, his stature has only increased; and his books, including The Inner Voice of Love, The Wounded Healer, and The Return of the Prodigal Son, have become cherished classics. For thousands of readers around the world, Nouwen’s influence as a teacher and author is considered equal to, or greater than, that of the century’s great spiritual writers, C. S. Lewis and Thomas Merton.
Although Nouwen could be radically revealing about his personal thoughts and struggles, there are nonetheless gaps in our understanding of who he was.

With Wounded Prophet, readers are given the first extensive look into this man who touched so many, not only through his own words but, most powerfully, through the eyes of those around the world who knew Nouwen best. While researching this compelling biography, BBC producer Michael Ford conducted wide-ranging interviews with Nouwen’s friends, colleagues, and family members. What he discovered was far more compelling than what he had Though Nouwen was indeed the generous and loving man many thought he was, he was also never able to find consistent peace in his own life. Tormenting him were profound feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and loneliness. This portrait gives an honest and well-balanced account of Nouwen’s life that leaves no stone unturned, investigating his childhood, his family, his sexuality, and his life as a priest and member of the L’Arche Daybreak community in Toronto.

Genres: Biography, Spirituality, Theology, Christianity, Religion, Christian, Catholic

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Michael Ford is a journalist and broadcaster. Before joining the BBC as a religious affairs producer, he studied theology at the University of Bristol in England. He currently resides in England, where he is pursuing a doctoral degree in Henri Nouwen's spirituality.


Librarian's Note: There are authors with similar names on Goodreads.
Michael Ford - Fiction (The Poisoned House, Spartan Warriors Series)
Michael Ford - Religion and Spirituality
Michael Thomas Ford - Gay & Lesbian, Humor, Young Adult
Michael Curtis Ford - Historical Fiction

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another instance for me of the curse of Bette Davis. When you read a study or biography or reflection on the work/oeuvre/output of an individual and your admiration for their skill in their chosen field is heightened but conversely your attraction towards them as a person seems somehow lessened.

Michael Ford has written a very lucid and easy to read reflection on the amazing life and outpouring of thought of Nouwen, this man who has inspired and reinvigorated the spiritual lives and hopes of huge numbers of people but as I read the story unfolding Nouwen came across as an extraordinarily self obsessed and self centred man.

He undoubtedly aimed to be a wonderful friend who gave huge amounts of his time and energy to others. He rang and wrote and visited all over and was amazingly generous with gifts and flowers but underlying all of this I couldn't help but see his need for people to praise and tend him, cosset and support him and accept his very selfish way of being.

I find it weird that this was the impression I drew from what is evidently a book written by a huge admirer but it began to strike me as the Emperor's new clothes. Nobody ever seemed to see the obvious that someone ought to have said to Henri what might have been really helpful. Stop thinking of yourself all the time and camouflaging it as being there for people, stop running away, the world does not revolve around you.

He would ring people at all hours of the night.......excused by....oh well Henri forgets the time difference. At a farewell meal for someone else the hostess had asked all people to give their gifts quietly and unobtrusively, Henri gets up mid meal and gives his gift complete with flowery speech....excused by....oh Henri would be so upset had he realized what he had done....He was an intelligent man he knew exactly what he had done and if he didn't he should have been told. When he came to live with the L'Arche Community he would invite people to come without any notice for meals and therefore unnerve and unsettle the actual community...excused by...that was Henri's ministry. Well it may have been but his much trumpeted sensitivity should have extended beyond himself to realize how he was affecting detrimentally those who had taken him in. I could go on but I won't.

I was sad to read this book because it has, to an extent, poisoned my reading of the rest of his works; I realized he wasn't a saint, that he had faults and failings like the rest of us but he was an astoundingly self centred man it seemed to me. So many of his struggles and strains were self inflicted. He went away regularly on sabbaticals which he then promptly ignored and began ringing and visiting and trumpeting his presence and then fell limp and tired as a poor exhausted flower which others had to then bolster and cater for. He struck up conversations with total strangers, which in itself is wonderful, but then he would invite them to come and stay or visit or email them and make them think they were special to him.....but they weren't. It struck me that they were just yet more people commandeered to worship at the ego of Fr Nouwen. As I re-read this I am quite shocked by the force of my feeling but I actually have to say it is what I felt as I read the book.

Once the memory has faded then I shall pick another of his volumes off my shelf and hopefully be inspired again but for the present it is one of those horrible moments when you realize your heroes have feet of clay.

Nouwen said amazingly lovely and inspring things. He introduced all sorts of wonderful images and thoughts for me as far as my relationship with God is concerned but he himself, from this biography, left me cold and uninspired.

[Joy Matteson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having read at least 75% of Nouwen's incredible books, all of which have moved me immensely from one degree to another, I decided to give his post-humous biography a try. I was not disappointed--Mr. Ford tells Nouwen's life story with humility and love. He does not elevate Henri to an iconic pedestal, although many have been tempted to do so, myself included. His greatest gift was in his shared woundedness and vulnerability to others. Ironically, his closest relationships suffered from a lack of true intimacy, because he was constantly afraid of becoming too dependent on others. I so prefer biographies of great saints such as Nouwen who are truly human--who can snap at their friends, get mad at their fathers or mothers, and yet know when to admit mistakes and life-long struggles and trials. Give me more biographies like this!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved reading several of Henri Nouwen's books. He seems to talk directly to me. So much of it just makes sense to me. He can somehow be simultaneously profound and down-to-earth. His words are so wise and compassionate and supportive. One of the main points of this biography is that Nouwen didn't always live up to his own wisdom. He struggled with solitude, he loved attention, and he suffered intensely from depression, anxiety, and crushing darkness. Basically, he was best at teaching that which he still needed to learn. This only makes me love him more.

[Wade]

Though the part of this biography that probably garnered the most attention was the matter of fact statement of Nouwen's homosexuality, the greater theme of the biography was his struggle with true intimacy in human relationships. I thought that it there were interesting observations about the myriad extenuating circumstances that made this such a central problem for Nouwen: his role as a priest with its calls to 'self-availability' and celibacy, his fame and the connections that were perceived between himself as authors and his readers, but the loneliness of the distance that his fame interposed, as well as the proper living out of his sexuality within the context of his own vows of celibacy and Roman Catholic teaching. I plan to read other biographies of HJM Nouwen, but this was a good start.

[Jack Kooyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this "portrait" of Nouwen and learning about some of his lifelong struggles with some of his personal demons, I gained a new appreciation for this very human person. If you're not prepared to learn about his shortcomings and struggles as a fellow brother in Christ on this earthly journey, I suggest reading it nonetheless. In many ways, Nouwen was simply another broken and sinful human in need of God's loving grace and healing. The beauty here, in my opinion, is that God chooses to do his work through us and inspite of us and our brokenness.

[Veronica Zundel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henri Nouwen's writings have inspired millions, but many are also aware of his internal struggles and contradictions. Ford's biography, the first word on Nouwen's life, shows us a man in love with a vision of life which he was rarely able to live in practice. For a spiritual writer, the disjunction between what one writes about and how far one lives it out, is always a source of disquiet. Yet Nouwen's very success in opening the eyes of others to a deeper experience of God, is an encouragement especially to the fellow Christian writer, like myself, who often wonders whether she lives up to what she writes about. For this reason I found it a particularly challenging and inspiring read.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an intimate look at the life of Henri Nouwen, an inspirational and intriguing--but clearly tortured--person whose writings on spirituality continue to be influential. Very interesting.

[Derek Klumpenhouwer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profound look at the life of Henri Nowen. While I found the structure of the narrative hard to follow at times as it bounced around, it brings the reader through not only the life Henri lived, his inner thoughts, pains, desires, anxieties, joys, and emotions. I don’t know if I have ever read a biography that could give such a clear insight into the person. It proves how open of a life Henri lived and how many people he truely brought into it.

I think everyone could identify with Henri in some way and I am no different. Everyone should read this book.

[Ethan Clouser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding biography of the life of Henri Nouwen. Before reading this book, I knew almost nothing about Nouwen, but since finishing, Henri has become one of my favorite authors. I resonate strongly with his feelings and writings, and slowly grew to love the man more and more as I read through this book. I’ve even been very motivated to adopt Henri’s writing style and approach to my own work for the future. If anyone’s trying to learn about Henri, this is a great book to do so.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

As inspiring as it is to read about the Saints, it is also wonderful to learn about the humanity of a great spiritual writer. Henri Nouwen used language to simplify complicated ideas. His works touched many across all faiths. It is helpful to learn that he struggled to live the ideas that he professed.

[Philippe Lazaro · Rating 2 out of 5]

"There was never any question in my own mind of the gifts which Henri Nouwen offered to his readers as a direct result of his own personal human-ness; his own imperfections -- his woundedness."

–Michael Ford

A friend gave this to me. I wish I had read something directly by Nouwen before reading this writeup of his life. I feel like that would have allowed me to appreciate it a little bit more.

Interesting picture painted of Nouwen as a complex but endearing writer, imperfect but a true source of encouragement to those he was able to minister to. The journalistic style seemed to drag a little bit towards the middle, but a good look at an inspiring figure.

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A biography of Nouwen by a late-in-life friend (and journalist), which helps to give context to Nouwen's prolific writing. 

Like many, I have been impacted by Nouwen's writing, but especially after reading several posthumously published books, I realized I needed more biographical context to understand what Nouwen was about.

It is incredible that more than 25 years after his death, new books are still being edited from his vast writing. (The most recent of which is Flying, Falling, Catching.) I am mixed on these posthumous books. I don't think any of the ones I have read stand up to the best of his books published while he was alive. But they are also better than the worst of his books as well. Nouwen wrote an enormous volume of books. According to Wikipedia, he published 42 books while alive, not including 35 additional books to which he contributed an introduction, afterward, or chapter. And there have been 31 additional books of posthumous work or compilations.

Part of what Ford makes clear is that while Nouwen strived to live up to his writing, there was a disconnect.

"It is also difficult to explain the author without acknowledging a certain disconnection between his writing and his living, not because of any scandalous gap between the two, but because he always managed to write way beyond what he himself could actually live. This was especially true in terms of what he said about solitude and community. Nouwen's spirit, mind, and body all ran ahead of him; his books were often reminders to himself of how he ought to be." (Kindle location 180)

That is not to say he was a hypocrite who called others to live as he did not but to say that we do not always live up to what we know to be right or best.

The book's first section was more of a psychological profile before moving back to start to tell his story from the beginning. Nouwen was driven, lonely, seeking affection and approval, and at the same time, able to give of himself deeply to those in need around him.

Because he passed away before I was fully aware of him (in 1996), I did not realize how influential he was. In 1994, a survey of 3400 protestant pastors rated him the second most influential Christian (ahead of Billy Graham.) That was when there was an opening to influence from Catholicism within the Protestant world, but many Protestants were still very skeptical of Catholicism.

The second central theme of Wounded Prophet is the influence of his sexuality. Many that were around him knew that he was gay. Nouwen said he understood that he had a homosexual orientation by the age of six. Celibacy for Catholic priests holds regardless of sexual orientation, but his resistance to talking about his sexuality publicly seems to have contributed to his loneliness. But at the same time, his openness about that loneliness in his writing and the ways that friendships both empowered and hurt him certainly made me and others suspect he was gay before it was discussed more publicly.

Part of what made Nouwen so influential was the openness of his writing. That writing was partly open because he saw himself as a teacher and understood teaching to be spiritual and moral formation, not just intellectual imputation of knowledge.

"To be a teacher means indeed to lay down your life for your friends, to become a ‘martyr’ in the original sense of witness. To be a teacher means to offer your own faith experience, your loneliness and intimacy, your doubts and hopes, your failures and successes to your students as a context in which they can struggle with their own quest for meaning. To be a teacher means to have the same boldness as Paul, who said to the Corinthians: ‘Take me as a model as I take Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11:1). To be a teacher means to say as those who want to learn what Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Come and see’ (John 1:39)." (Kindle location 1898)

I am still conflicted about Nouwen's discernment and how Pere' Thomas and Jean Vanier influenced him, people we know were predatory sexual abusers. But it is not just those two. His discernment about his vocation and how he seemed to move around constantly and not submit to regular spiritual direction or consistent community, even at L'Arche, seems to be part of the weakness of his spiritual life. Ford has the line, "He had many spiritual directors and did not know which one to turn to" (Kindle location 2579), and that, in many ways, counters the idea of spiritual direction as I understand it. If you reveal a small part of your spiritual life to many but are resistant to revealing all (or most) to any one person, that seems like it can only be, at least in part, a feature of hiddenness. And Ford does talk about that in Wounded Prophet. 

In the end, many of his friends believed he worked himself to death. (He died when he was 64.) That, too, is part of discernment and spiritual and emotional health.

Wounded Prophet was what I was looking for to understand Nouwen better. Over the next year or so, I will probably read another book by Nouwen and then look for another biography to get another perspective, as is always helpful.

(I have 23 highlights that are public here.)

Originally posted to my blog at https://bookwi.se/wounded-prophet/

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice biography of Henri Nouwen. Nouwen was a Catholic priest whose prolific writings are popular devotionals. Nouwen always struggled with finding himself and the book talks about his struggle with homosexuality, particularly at the end of his life. This is a man who had a big heart and the book does a good job of capturing his complexity.

[Jamie Howison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good and sometimes unsettling biography of Nouwen. Read his books, and you see what he longed for. Read this biography, and you get a sense of where his longing came from. In the end, though, it is an encouraging book for anyone in ministry of any kind. You're reminded that good things can be offered by wounded people.

[Anthony Wick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about a wonderful man. Henri Nouwen lived within the tension that was faith, and was able to bring people into the presence of God through his life and writings. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves his books or who want to know more about him. His witness to Christ is something we desperately need today.

[margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

from the heart, part unsettling but wonderful example of committment to God

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE STORY OF THE FAMED CATHOLIC "WOUNDED HEALER" PRIEST

Michael Ford is a journalist and broadcaster who has also written books such as 'Father Mychal Judge: An Authentic American Hero,' 'Spiritual Masters for All Seasons,' 'Disclosures: Conversations Gay and Spiritual,' etc.

He wrote in the Prologue to this 1999 book, "He himself came from a background of wealth and privilege... His words spoke with a specific sensitivity to people who had suffered psychologically in their lives. He discovered that it was from the wounded places in himself that he could reach the wounded places in others... Many accurately deduced that Nouwen was a priest who was also gay. It is impossible to begin to understand the complexity of the man without considering this aspect of his life. It was something he was aware of from a very early age but which he started coming to terms with only in his last years." (Pg. xiii, xv)

Ford notes, "In the setting of L'Arche, where community members came from many traditions, Henri Nouwen was sensitive to the difficulties surrounding intercommunion. But in the context of small community gatherings, he was pastorally concerned for non-Catholics, who always found him welcoming if they wished to receive Holy Communion. People and their relationship with God mattered much more than strict adherence to ecclesiastical law." (Pg. 6)

He observes, "Henri was a mystic in the making. Some people described him as a 'saint with wounds.'" (Pg. 8) Nouwen asserted that "ministers who proclaimed liberation were called not only to care for other people's wounds but to make their own wounds into an important source of healing. They were called to be wounded healers. The wounds he often spoke of were those of alienation, separation, isolation, and loneliness---ones he shared himself." (Pg. 45) Later, Ford adds, "Because of his own woundedness, the concept of the wounded healer came naturally to him---but not in the sense of 'I've had my problems to I can now understand yours.' It was at a much more fundamental level." (Pg. 97)

Ford also admits, "For several years... his friends working in the field of HIV/AIDS exhorted him to back their work publicly, but Nouwen was hesitant. At a personal level he offered friendship and support to those who were suffering or caring, but he was less confident about making a public and national stand for this form of social justice. The fact that he was insecure about his own sexuality as a Catholic priest must have intensified his fears." (Pg. 59) Later, he adds, "he became more at ease with his own sexual identity, cultivating friendships with gay men both inside and outside the church... What distressed him was that some were on the point of leaving institutional religion for good---or already had. There was still pressure on him at times to be open about his sexuality, and equal insistence from other friends to keep quiet about it. For the man who liked to be on good terms with everyone, this cannot have been easy for him." (Pg. 191)

Ford notes toward the end of the book, "Nouwen loved the priesthood but at some level felt trapped by his obligations and responsibilities... At times Nouwen wondered if some of his gay friends were trying to force him out into the open to justify their own decisions. There were... heated exchanges with gay people who wanted him to take more of a public stance on gay issues. But, as he told a close friend, 'If I came out, I would be labeled as just another gay priest writing from sexuality and not my spirituality.'" (Pg. 192-193)

This is a frank, revealing, and insightful portrait of a sensitive spiritual leader.

[Josh Bucher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book seeks to be divided in three sections, much like Henri's writings. The first section seems to be all over the place, while the following sections flow much more like a traditional biography. To me this made the book a little frustrating and hard to follow. I enjoyed learning more about Henri's life, but I think it would have been helpful to either stick to topical chapters more strictly or to follow a chronological story of Henri's life. One takeaway was how important it was for Henri to be in touch with his struggles and to minister to others and out of them, and to trust God out of them, rather than avoid them and just fill everything with busyness and work. I also appreciated the struggle of Henri living out his own advice, which made him seem even more human and relatable.

[Mark Jurgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fair biography of one of the most important religious figures of the twentieth century. This warts and all portrait of Henry Nouwen may shatter some illusions his readers had of the man. However, the fact that he was a flawed human being endears Nouwen to me all the more. He had feet of clay, to be sure, but his writings were a lifeline that pulled me through one of the roughest periods of my 63 years and even now continue to be a source of spiritual succor.

[Rachel Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 ⭐️) I’ve read many of Nouwen’s books but this was the first biography I’ve read on him. A very thorough look at his life, bibliography, and the major experiences that influenced his theology, spirituality and approach to the priesthood. Definitely provides great depth and insight into the man behind the prolific books, but also the fact that Nouwen may not be the man that we think he is, which is a very interesting and beautiful thing.

[Bailey Ulrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what a gift of book. It is a unique style of biography, but it is perhaps my favorite one to have read. Ford isn’t so concerned with telling the chronological story of Nouwen’s life, nor is he trying to sweep any of Henri’s humanity under the rug—he tells the story of this beloved priest with candor and honor. He shares Henri’s shadow, and beautifully displays his gold. The story of this wonderful life is honest, poignant, and deeply moving.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to read and learn everything I can about this amazing priest/missionary. His writings speak so clearly to anyone and everyone and this biography sheds so much light and info on his life. Totally recommend.

[Mamareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

realistic biography

I have always admired Henri Nouwen and have read his books many times. This author,Michael Ford gave a factual account and did it in a way that honored Henri Nouwen

[Steven Kopp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nouwen was a remarkable man. I'm grateful for the books of his that I have read.