Henri Nouwen - L'Arche Canada

Henri Nouwen was a writer, teacher, spiritual guide and Roman Catholic priest who was pastor of the L'Arche Daybreak community from 1986 until his death in 1996.

Henri's desire for community and passionate conviction that those rejected by society have essential and prophetic gifts to offer took shape during the 1960's through his involvement with the American civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King, Jr. Trained in psychology, his career took him to a variety of teaching positions at Notre Dame, Yale and Harvard, and ongoing involvement in American peace and social justice movements. In all of these, Henri looked for ways to help people deepen their spiritual foundations and cultivate community. He is one of the most popular and prolific spiritual writers of the later twentieth century.

In 1985, Henri spent a year at L'Arche in Trosly, and in 1986 the L'Arche Daybreak community became Henri's home. As a member of L'Arche, Henri continued to travel and speak, but usually travelled with members of his L'Arche community. "People won't remember a word I say," he commented, "but they'll remember that Bill and I stood here as friends and equals and spoke together." For more information about Henri Nouwen and his ongoing legacy, see the website of the Henri Nouwen Literary Centre at http://nouwen.net/.

Henri Nouwen's books, available through Daybreak Publications and most bookstores, remain some of the best writing about L'Arche in North America.