File 2132 - Handouts for spring 1980 lecture course

2.5 cm of textual records

File consists of a bound volume of typed and photocopied handouts (including a syllabus and class list) for the lecture course. The table of contents listing 36 items, and records the date that the items were distributed to the class. In addition to a directory of local monasteries and contemplative centers, a bibliography on western mysticism, a statement from the Community Life Committee concerning inclusive language, a list of final paper topics and a list of students owing Nouwen money or assignments, there are a number of typed and photocopied articles by Nouwen. They are:
-"The Monk and the Cripple: Toward a Spirituality of Ministry" (later published in America (March 15, 1980: 205-210) and presented at Growing Together: A Conference on Shared Ministry. Washington, D.C.: Boystown Center, Catholic University, 1-3 February 1980.
-photocopy of "Solitude and Community" published in Worship (Jan. 1978: 13-23).
-photocopy of "Spirituality and the Family"published in the Church Educator Supplement (June 1977).
-photocopy of "Compassion: Solidarity, Consolation and Comfort" published in America (13 March 1977).
-photocopy of "Unceasing Prayer"from America (5 August, 1978).
-copy of "Compassion: The Core of Spiritual Leadership" from Occasional Papers: Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research (No. 2 March 1977).
The remaining articles are:
-biblical references of compassion compiled by John Mogabgab.
-John Mogabgab's "Self-Sacrifice and Community" (marked 'for private use only').
-Parker Palmer's "A Place called Community" from The Christian Century March 1977.
-Melanie Morrison's "Sumter County, Georgia: Floyd and Harriet Brown" from Sojourners, (July 1978).
-excerpt from Karl Barth's "Church Dogmatics".
-excerpt from Sir Frederick Treves' "The Elephant Man".
-excerpt from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "On Community".
-excerpt from Gustavo Gutierrez's "A Theology of Liberation".

• Matthew Monahan's "Father Ritter's Sanctuary for the Lost Children".
  -4 letters form Fr. Bruce Ritter of Covenant House.
  -Michael Christensen's "Urban Ministry at the Lamb's: 'To the Least of these my Brethren'".
  -Janet and Bob Aldrige's "Therefore Choose Life" from Sojourners (February 1977).
  -a tale from "The Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha".
  -Cabeza de Vaca's "The Power Within Us".
  -statement by Dr. Jorge Lara-Braud regarding military aid to El Salvador, March 25, 1980.
  -Dr. Jorge Lara-Braud's "Funeral for an assassinated archbishop".
  -letter from "The Catholic Worker" vol. XLIII, no. 7 (September 1977).

A copy of "The Monk and the Cripple" can be found in Published works series, box 295, item 1624, 1625. There is also a sound recording of this address by Nouwen that was published by the Thomas More Association. See Sound recording series, box 317, item SR23. There was also a loose copy in the bound volume that was removed to Teaching materials - file 2133.
A copy of "Solitude and Community can be found in Published Works series - Articles by Nouwen, box 295, item 1608.
A copy of "Spirituality and the Family" can be found in Manuscripts series, box 37, file 159-1, item 159-1 54.
A copy of "Compassion: Solidarity, Consolation and Comfort" can be found in Published Works series - Articles by Nouwen, box 294, item 1580.
A copy of "Compassion: The Core of Spiritual Leadership" can be found in Published Works series - Articles by Nouwen, box 294, item 1598.
A copy of "Unceasing Prayer" can be found in Published Works series, box 295, item 1617.

Title based on contents of the file.
The title page for this bound copy has been written by John Mogabgab.

Nouwen taught Compassion during the spring semester of 1980, co-lecturing with John Mogabgab. The classes were held on Mondays, from 1:30 - 5:00 pm and appear to have evolved from the initial 1977 lecture course and Nouwen's teaching in 1978 in Rome. Over one hundred students were enrolled in this course. Nouwen and Mogabgab structured the lecture course Compassion around the relationship between ministry and spirituality. The term 'compassion' was used by Nouwen and Mogabgab to focus the class and its discussions. Nouwen drew much of the material of this course from his collaboration with Doug Morrison and Don McNeill on the book Compassion, written in 1978. The course was divided into three parts: the Compassionate God (Christology), the Compassionate Life (Discipleship) and the Compassionate Way (Discipline). Several classes were held at the Mercy Center (Madison, CT). The teaching assistant for this course was Joseph Nunez. Students were expected to write a response paper to the course readings as well as a major final paper. Students were also expected to participate in smaller group discussions of groups no larger than 8 students.

Revised by L Joson, 13 November 2018