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Henri Nouwen fonds Item
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Confession and forgiveness

Item consists of a manuscript and typescript of "Confession and Forgiveness", a sermon given to the Unitarian Fellowship (KS). Nouwen spoke on confession and forgiveness and suggests that just as we can treat people badly physically, we can also do so spiritually, by focusing on their weaknesses. Forgiveness is necessary.

The immaculate conception of the blessed virgin Mary

Item consists of a manuscript of "The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary", a sermon given by Nouwen for Advent. Nouwen suggests that Mary believed and was therefore prepared when visited by the angel Gabriel. Her life was her preparation for her call.

Sermon on Romans 13:10-12

Item consists of a manuscript of a sermon on Romans 13:10-12, which discusses rising from sleep. It is likely Nouwen gave this sermon during his time at the Menninger Foundation (Topeka, KS). He suggests that when we are sleeping the sleep of despair, it is dangerous and we are called to wake up and experience new light and new hope.

Why do you invite people for dinner?

Item consists of a manuscript of "Why do you invite people to dinner?", a sermon given by Nouwen to priests and seminarians at Moreau Seminary, University of Notre Dame, before the summer break. He writes about hospitality: that inviting someone to dinner is also an invitation to intimacy, and that so is the Eucharist.

Sermon on What do you think of the priest?

Item consists of a typescript of a sermon on "What do you think about the priest?", given by Nouwen to priests and seminarians at Moreau Seminary, University of Notre Dame, on April 24, 1967. Nouwen addresses the drop in the number of priestly vocations, which causes him to reflect on priesthood and vocation.

Sermon on Jesus changes the water into wine ... wine into His own blood

Item consists of a manuscript of a sermon on "Jesus changes water into wine ... and wine into His own Blood", in which he suggests that pain and suffering are so dominant that we seldom focus on joy, celebration and love, but God does. Nouwen uses Cana as a sign of God's joy.

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind

Item consists of a typescript of "Be Renewed in the spirit of your mind", a sermon given by Nouwen in which he suggests that green in nature is a sign of hope, just as for us the Bible is also a sign of hope. The Bible is like a letter that God writes to us to help us to renew our spirits.

Sermon on Palm Sunday

Item consists of a typescript of a Palm Sunday sermon. Nouwen argues that Jesus goes from Palm Sunday adulation to Good Friday condemnation, but has no illusions. He suggests that we identify with the easy victory of Palm Sunday and we want it, but Jesus reminds us that we are fooling ourselves if we do not see that growth comes from our small and large sufferings.

On silence

Item consists of a typescript of "On Silence", a sermon given by Nouwen on March 2, 1972. Nouwen suggests that silence is painful and we run from it, but we will not find God in the noise because God's is a still, small voice that Jesus heard on the mountain early in the morning. Community is being called by the same voice. Ministry is born in silence.

Silence

Item consists of a typescript of "Silence", a sermon given by Nouwen. Nouwen argues that our busyness is often a cover for our fear of silence and emptiness. Silence means rest and availability and in it the Spirit of God prays and does creative work. It is a place where we find our center and prepares us for real encounters of friendship and intimacy. New life is born in silence.

About Zaccheus, who climbed the sycamore tree

Item consists of a typescript of "About Zaccheus, Who Climbed the Sycamore Tree", a sermon on the religious aspects of friendship. Nouwen argues that Zaccheus' openness to concentrate on Jesus with an openness to him, allows something to happen between them. Henri comments on the way we meet people but we are full of ideas, worries and tensions, or we wait to impress the other, or we listen to see if we agree or disagree. Without concentrating on the person, without having room in ourselves to receive the person and what is being said, we miss the opportunity for a real meeting.

Lenten meditations

Item consists of a typescript of "Lenten Meditations: Battell", a sermon given by Nouwen at Battell Chapel during Lent. It is a reflection about suffering and hope using the story of Jesus on the Cross and how we can look at him and hear the words that are addressed to him. Nouwen suggests that Jesus' death helps us with our death, and that we need to reflect on the abundant mercy of God.

This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to Him

Item consists of a typescript of "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to Him", a sermon given by Nouwen about God as Father, Jesus as Son, and people as Beloved sons and daughters, on November 14, 1979.

Meditation on prayer

Item consists of handwritten notes and a typescript of an Advent meditation on prayer, written between November 21 and 28, 1979. The meditation is based on listening to gospel texts that speak of God's coming and presence.

Sermon on Do not worry

Item consists of a typescript of a sermon based on Jesus' words, "Do not worry", given by Nouwen on September 26, 1979. Nouwen describes how preoccupied we are with things that pass away quickly, whereas if we centre our hearts on God, we live a divine history with a certain perspective that holds us in the truth.

Sermon for Easter Sunday

Item consists of a typescript for an Easter Sunday sermon (April 15, 1979). Nouwen lists events that happened after the resurrection when Jesus revealed himself so that gradually people began to speak, "He is risen." They saw him. They believed. He was with them. Nouwen argues that we are invited to look for Him, to see his face, and to announce also, "He is risen."

Sermon for Eucharist

Item consists of a typescript of a sermon for the Eucharist on December 17, 1979. Nouwen speaks of the Christ event as being not just a historical event, but also a present event. It happened and it is always happening. By realizing this, we look at all the things that preoccupy us in a new light - the light of the Christ event in the past and in the present.

May His joy be in you and may your joy be complete

Item consists of a typescript of "May His joy be in you and may your joy be complete", a sermon on joy, the priesthood and the Eucharist, which was written for the 40th anniversary of Fr. Thomas' ordination at the Abbey of the Genesee (Piffard, NY). Nouwen finds joy in the realization that all the suffering, all the success, and all the failure of a life are already taken up in the Eucharistic sacrifice, and thus we can experience the joy of our salvation.

Sermon on Mark 14:32-42

Item consists of a manuscript and partial typescript for a sermon on Mark 14:32-42, the story of Gethsemane. Nouwen advises us to simply go to the Garden and stay there with Jesus. He tells us not to sleep in His or our sorrow, but to stay awake and have no words to speak, but simply to stay. In so doing we see Jesus suffering but we also witness his fear, his request to have it taken away and his resignation to God's will, his faithfulness. Nouwen ends with the prayer of Thomas Merton, "Lord we have no idea where we are going."

Powhatan revisited

Item consists of a photocopy of a typescript of "Powhatan Revisited", a paper Nouwen wrote about a visit he made to Powhatan, LA, a former parish where he worked for six months in 1962. The story is about his fellowship with the people there, the poverty and the people's relationships in and around the village.

Prayer and ministry

Item consists of a typescript of "Prayer and Ministry", a sermon Nouwen gave on Luke 9:28-36. It is a commentary on the Transfiguration passage, when the disciples go with Jesus to the mountain to pray and Jesus is transfigured. Prayer is seen as an affirmation of the gift of life, not to be controlled but to be received and shared. Nouwen argues that when this happens we see our life and the world not as something dark, but more in the light; not opaque, but transparent.

On prayer

Item consists of a typescript of "On Mercy", a sermon given by Nouwen at Mercy Center (Madison, CT), in which he describes prayer as seeing what cannot otherwise be seen, especially in nature, in events, and in people. All of these are opaque unless we do not expect to see more, but within each of these the face of God may become visible. Prayer is also a discipline where we take time to listen and therefore leave behind our illusions of control, where we allow God to move from our heads to our hearts, and where we listen rather than speak to God.

Theology of the word

Item consists of handwritten notes and a partial typescript of "Theology of the Word", a sermon and lecture given by Nouwen. He argues that in a culture where words are overworked, the word of God is full of power and beauty because it is alive, active and fruitful.

Sermon for Advent

Item consists of a typescript of a sermon for Advent, given by Nouwen at Durham Notre Dame. Nouwen discusses the Christ Event. He argues that other events in life make sense only through a knowledge of the Christ event. He concludes that solitude, prayer and the common liturgy are ways to remember this central event.

Marriage as ministry

Item consists of photocopies of a typescript of "Marriage as Ministry". Nouwen argues that marriage as ministry has two functions: binding the wounds of the other, and healing the suffering guest. One copy is in the bound volume and one is a loose copy.

Notes

Item consists of a small orange hard-bound notebook featuring musical notes on its cover. The notebook is entitled, "Adagio: Musical Reflections", but is otherwise blank.

Photograph card for Behold the beauty of the Lord

Item consists of a blank photo card featuring a photograph entitled, "Restoration." The photograph features a table with a table cloth, a lit candle, a brown and grey chalice, and a plate with a loaf of bread. An open book can be seen resting on the table behind the bread. Metal folding chairs can be seen in the background.

Photograph of community members

Item consists of a photograph of Robert Morgan and Marcie Taylor singing on stage during a skit, while others look on. Back row, left to right: Lori Stevens, Fr. Francis Maurice, Cheryl Zinyk, and Roderick Houben. Front row, left to right: Paula Keleher, John David White, and Janet Munro.

Photograph of community members

Item consists of a photograph of several community members, wearing name tags, posing for the camera during the gala reception. From left to right: Patsy Ramsay, Nathan Ball, Jody (last name unknown), and Roy Turkel; Adam Arnett is seated in front.

Photograph of Nouwen

Item consists of a photograph of Nouwen, wearing a gray suit and red polka dot tie, seated and looking to his left. Shot 1.

Photograph of Nouwen

Item consists of a photograph of Nouwen, wearing a gray suit and red polka dot tie, seated and in profile. Shot 2.

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