Announcing the book selection for Lent 2021!

Sabbatical Journey: The Diary of His Final Year

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Henri Nouwen’s death. So it is particularly fitting that our Lent book discussion selection is the daily journal Henri kept during a year-long hiatus from L’Arche Daybreak. He died three weeks after writing the final entry.

For Henri, the sabbatical from Daybreak – a community for adults with physical and intellectual disabilities – was intended to be an opportunity to say no to all work except writing. What it became was a 365-day spiritual adventure.

Henri was most alive, invigorated and content in the company of friends. Few things were more meaningful and significant to him than to share in his friends’ joys, sorrows, and everything in between.

Sabbatical Journey is a loving, insightful account of the experiences and encounters that filled Henri Nouwen’s final year. As always, he writes from the heart, unafraid to admit his longing for friendship and intimacy or to expose the anxiety brought on by feelings of loneliness and isolation.

In current vernacular, it could be said that Henri “owned” his brokenness. Instead of hiding it – or hiding from it – the pages of Sabbatical Journey reveal a remarkable man living his fragility as faithfully as he could.

Join us Ash Wednesday, February 17th for greetings and introductions. Then beginning Sunday, February 21st we’ll accompany Henri on a year-long journey in six weeks!

Facilitated by Ray Glennon, our Henri Nouwen Book Discussion can be a meaningful addition to your Lenten season. We do hope you will join us.

A reading schedule will be posted prior to the beginning of the book discussion.

Need a copy of the book? It is available at many bookstores, or you can order it online through the Bookstore tab in the menu bar above. 

Crossroad Publishers is offering a 30% discount on the purchase of the book to all book discussion participants! To get the discount, use coupon code: promo30

Click here or on the Bookstore tab above to take advantage of this offer.

33 Replies to “Announcing the book selection for Lent 2021!”

  1. Read this selection years ago and looking forward to reading it again and sharing impressions. Have always loved his work and he seems to touch on things that I feel .
    I have a number of his books and have given copies as gifts

  2. So I’m here, and this is my first time participating in a book discussion and Sabbatical Journey is the first book I will have read by Henri Nouwen. A friend of mine from my church invited me and I have to say I’m looking forward to it. Just one question how will I know if I’m actually registered or officially included in the discussions (is this the website I need to be on exactly?)

    1. Same for me. First time to be involved in a book discussion and first time reading a book written by him although I do receive an email every day with a short reflection which I enjoy very much. God bless

  3. I just love the writings of this man. It touches my heart that he is such a humble man of God. I am a Kiwi living in NZ . Yvonne Flett.

  4. Thank you for providing such a wonderful opportunity as we consider and come in to Lent. Reading the book and being part of a large on-line group is such a privilege.
    I live in New Zealand.

  5. Henri Nouwen has provided me such spiritual insights with his daily meditation and his books that I have read. Look forward to this Lent journal reflecting on his last year. Rick

  6. I am looking forward to joining this community. I read Sabbatical Journey over 10 years ago and it will be a treat to look at Henri’s wisdom again this Lent.

  7. Can you please tell me how do I register for this book discussion session?
    This is my first time be part of your book discussion. I am looking forward to it.
    I live in Australia and I believe our time zone here is AEDT.
    Thank you for your help.
    Minh

    1. No registration is required. It’s a moderated discussion that takes place throughout Lent. You can check in to catch up on the comments – or add your own – at any time. Ray Glennon, our moderator, will post the comments just as soon as he has a chance to review them. Glad you plan on joining us.

  8. Can I join the book discussion despite the book I ordered has not yet arrived?
    I live in Australia – AEST time zone.
    This is the first time I join the book discussion.

    1. Yes, of course. A reading is assigned each Sunday and there is a full week of discussion and participation until the next assignment. Even if your book hasn’t arrived by the start of the discussion, you can keep abreast by following along with the discussion. Glad to have you join us from Australia!

  9. With all that is going on in the world these days, especially the pandemic, I feel the need for a quiet and wise voice to guide me through this coming Lent. Henri Nouwen would be that voice. Thank you for the opportunity to read “Sabbatical Journey”, and to reflect with others.

  10. I would like to participate in this reading and discussion and have purchased the book.

    My concern as I visit this page for the first time is that my web browser tells me the page is “not secure.” Is there any way to create a secure page for this discussion?

    1. Hi Pamela,

      Secure pages are required for websites to do transactions requiring credit card information and passwords (for online banking and retails sales and the like.) We will never require or ask for credit card information on this site. All of our transactional pages (the Henri Nouwen Society donation page for example) are secure and protected.

      I hope this helps you feel more comfortable participating in the upcoming book discussion.

  11. So looking forward to walking the Lenten Journey with you.

    Henri Nouwen came into my field of vision for the first time, back in July. And that profound encounter has turned into quite the spiritual friendship and blessing. As has your website. Thank you for the wealth of contemplation resources available here as well as the time and love dedicated to make it happen.

  12. I look forward to joining in my first Book Discussion….so I just come here on Ash Wednesday? Will there be a zoom link, or anything like that? Thanks for this opportunity.

    1. Hi Nancy,

      No, there’s no Zoom link since this is a moderated discussion that unfolds during each week throughout Lent. No visuals, but lots to great insightful content. Hope you can join us!

  13. I would like to be part of it. What time will the readings be planned for? will it be recorded and posted on the website. I am asking because of the different times, I am on Pacific time and would like to make sure i am able to follow it.

    Thank you

    1. Hi Maria,

      The readings and discussion take place over each week of Lent, meaning you can read and contribute comments whenever is most convenient for you during that week.

      Ray will offer questions and reflective insights on each Sunday during Lent (based on the readings for that week.) You read along and join the discussion at anytime that week, so the time zone differences don’t really matter.

      Hope this helps.

    1. Hi Patrick,

      No registration is required. Just come to this page beginning on Ash Wednesday. Ray will have post a reading schedule and instructions on how to comment/participate before then. Glad you are planning to join us!

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