Item consists of a book which Nouwen wrote about four Russian icons, which first came to his attention when he visited L'Arche in Trosly, France in the fall of 1983. The book has been divided into the following: Introduction; I. The Icon of the Holy Trinity: Living in the House of Love, Introduction, A Gentle Invitation, Where Heart Speaks to Heart, The Circle, The Cross and Liberation, Conclusion; II. The Icon of the Virgin of Vladimir: Belonging to God, Introduction, The Eyes of the Virgin, The Hands of the Virgin, The Child of the Virgin, Conclusion; III. The Icon of the Savior of Zvenigorod: Seeing Christ, Introduction, Seeing a Damaged Image, Seeing a Tender Human Face, Seeing Eyes Which Penetrate both the Heart of God and Every Human Heart, Conclusion; IV. The Icon of the Descent of the Holy Spirit: Liberating the World, Introduction, The God-within, The Community of Faith, The Liberation of the World, Conclusion; Conclusion; References.
As is stated in the introduction: "Like the painting by Chagall, [which his parents bought when they were first married and to which Nouwen has connected his mother's beauty, the icons] . . . have imprinted themselves so deeply upon my inner life that they appear every time I need comfort and consolation."