Suddenly he was gone. Henri Nouwen, one of the most widely admired spiritual writers of his time, died unexpectedly of a heart attack 30 years ago. His passing sent shockwaves around the world among Christians and spiritual seekers of all stripes who had turned to the Dutch Catholic priest’s writing for spiritual solace.

Now, three decades later, it could be argued that what Henri Nouwen shared with the world — deep personal reflections drawn from a life of prayer, discernment and active involvement with everything from peacemaking to the civil rights movement —is needed more than ever.

At a time when loneliness is at epidemic levels, global peace is increasingly tenuous, and human solidarity appears at a low ebb, Nouwen’s wisdom continues to offer a way to build a God-and-human-centered approach to life. 

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Nouwen’s 39 books were translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than seven million copies. Today, his legacy lives on not only in his books but in a wide network of admirers, both academic and non-academic, who continue to interpret it for a new generation.

Some 300 of those seeking to integrate Nouwen’s insights are expected to gather May 14-16 at the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto, Canada, to spend three days in robust reflection, discussion, and discernment. The international conference, titled “Longing for Home: The Prophetic Witness of Henri Nouwen in a Wounded World,” is being organized by the Henri Society in partnership with St. Michael’s.

According to Michael W. Higgins, Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought at St. Michael’s, and author of two books on Nouwen, the priest’s relevance for today is found in his personal transparency and insatiable curiosity about the human condition.

“His spirituality is grounded in engagement with, and not retreat from, the pressing challenges that compromise our humanity,” says Higgins, who will be delivering a keynote address at the conference on Nouwen as an antidote to global despair.

Though thoroughly grounded in his vocation as a Catholic priest, Nouwen’s writing, drawing from his insights as both a psychologist as well as his pastoral calling, has found a large following among other Christian denominations.

John Vissers, Professor of Systematic Theology at the Presbyterian Knox College, part of the Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto, will be presenting a workshop at the conference on “Reading Henri Nouwen as a Prophetic Friend in a Wounded World.”

“Nouwen puts his finger on the pulse of our broken humanity with words that help us better understand ourselves, our world, and our hope in God,” says Vissers. “It’s an enduring legacy of witness rooted in his own life and faith, which he makes accessible to all who read him.”

Everyone has their favourite Nouwen book, ranging from the most famous such as The Return of the Prodigal Son and The Wounded Healer to lesser-known works that offer special insight.

Conference attendees will participate in four major plenary sessions and more than 20 workshops, as well as opportunities for shared prayer, worship, and spiritual practice.

The conference kicks off with a dramatic multi-media presentation created by Nouwen biographer Gabrielle Earnshaw. Other key speakers include Carlos A. Thompson, professor of Christian Ministry and Disability Theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan; Terry LeBlanc, an Indigenous elder and educator; and Michael Blair, General Secretary of the United Church of Canada, who will conclude the conference with a call to action.

St. Michael’s College is no stranger to Nouwen or his work. Observes James Roussain, Chief Librarian of the college’s Kelly Library: “Henri Nouwen’s enduring relationship with the University of St. Michael’s College is grounded in the stewardship of his intellectual and spiritual legacy through the Henri J.M. Nouwen Archives & Research Collection, housed at the John M. Kelly Library. The Archives reflect a deep trust placed in St. Michael’s to preserve, study, and share Nouwen’s work with scholars and readers around the world.”

To mark the occasion, the Kelly Library is putting together an exhibit of Nouwen artifacts and photos to share with conference participants.

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Anyone engaged in pastoral ministry, theological studies, or seeking to deepen their own spiritual journey will find nourishment for the mind, heart and soul at “Longing for Home.” For more information, go online to https://www.conference.henrinouwen.org/.

Joseph Sinasac is Project Coordinator for the Longing for Home conference. A former publisher of The Catholic Register, he has been engaged in Catholic media for more than 30 years.

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