Love, Henri: Letters on the Spiritual Life

Over the course of his life, priest, professor, and spiritual teacher Henri Nouwen wrote thousands of letters to friends, acquaintances, parishioners, students, and readers of his work all around the world. He held a deep conviction about the value of reaching out to others through letters, believing that a thoughtful letter written in love could truly change someone's life. As a result, many people looked to Nouwen as a long-distance spiritual advisor. This collection of previously unpublished letters stretches from the earliest years of Henri’s career through to his last ten years at L’Arche Daybreak. Rich in spiritual insights as well as touching details of Henri’s daily life, the letters are organized around themes that emerge not just in his correspondence but in his bestselling books: vocation and calling, solitude and prayer, suffering and perseverance, belovedness and community. All of these letters demonstrate Nouwen’s belief in the rich value of human relationships. As relevant today as they were when originally written, and full of insight and encouragement, these letters offer a deeply personal look into the mind of a spiritual giant, and are an ideal introduction to his life and thought.