File 2248 - Handouts for twelve-week course on prayer

1.6 cm of textual records

File consists of a series of typed and photocopied handouts ranging over a twelve week period. These handouts follow a format of guided meditation and in-depth prayer techniques. Each handout contains a written assignment and reading assignment, one of which is Nouwen's "Life of the Beloved". These materials were most likely used as preparation for Nouwen's 1994 course at Regis College.

Title based on contents of the file.

This 12-week course was held weekly on Mondays, between January 31 and April 18, 1994. However, it is not clear at what institution this course was taught and if Nouwen taught it or was a participant. The course code appears to have been PT 122, presumably Pastoral Theology 122. A "quiet day" scheduled for Friday April 22, 1994 and Saturday April 23, 1994 was held at 105 Garfield Street in Watertown, MA. This retreat center is less than 7 km from Harvard University.
The course material deals with Ignation contemplation, mindful prayer, "spiritual friends", and other themes consistent with Nouwen's teaching. However, the majority of the assigned readings in this series are not consistent with Nouwen's teaching.
Thus it is possible that Nouwen taught or participated in a seminar on prayer and meditation at an American institution, in an around Watertown, Massachusetts, during the spring semester of 1994. It is also likely that Nouwen used these notes as preparatory materials for his 1994 course Communion, Community, Ministry: Introduction to the Spiritual Life, offered during the fall semester at Regis College, University of Toronto.

Revised by L Joson, 20 November 2018