Reading: Preface by Robert Ellsberg, p. vii — xi
In writing this diary of his travels to Ukraine in 1993 snd 1994, Henri
was in effect sending a letter to the future. . . . (T)his simple story
was waiting for the right time, and for an audience
that could appreciate it. (p. vii)
Note: Saturday, Dec 2—Some of you might not see the comments at the bottom of the page. If you do not see the comments, go to the right hand column and click on the top comment under the heading Recent Comments, and all the comments should then be shown. Scroll to the bottom of the comments and you will see the box to enter your own comment. You may also reply to the comments of others. If you have any questions, please contact me at ray.glennon@1972.usna.com
= = = = = = = = = = = = =
A warm welcome to each of you as we gather at this “most wonderful time of the year” for another Henri Nouwen Society book discussion. As always, a beautiful community of people will gather for a fruitful discussion as we journey through the Advent season together. If you’ve joined us in the past, welcome back! If this is your first book discussion, we are so glad you are here!
This Advent we will read and discuss the recently published Ukraine Diary, written by Henri Nouwen in conjunction with his travels to newly independent Ukraine in 1993 and 1994. As Robert Ellsberg, the publisher of Orbis Books, notes in his Preface, when Henri approached him about publishing this book when it was first written, Ellsberg questioned whether this book would find an audience and he was unwilling to publish Henri’s diary. And yet, three decades later, as the brutal war in Ukraine continues unabated nearly two years after the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ellsberg reminds us that Henri’s “letter to the future” (p. vii) provides us with visibility into the character of the Ukrainian people that Henri encountered and “bears a message for our own time.” (p. xi)
In his Preface, Robert Ellsberg offers us his insights in to his relationship with Henri and how this book came to be published in English thirty years after it was first written. Henri’s diary is the meat that is sandwiched between an timely Introduction by Archbishop Borys Gudziak and an Afterword by Henri’s brother Laurent Nouwen who has continued mission to Ukraine started by Henri over the intervening years.
I’m looking forward sharing a spirit-filled Advent season with this online community of seekers as we gather to to read and discuss Ukraine Diary by Henri Nouwen. Our discussion begins in earnest on Sunday, December 3rd.
As we begin our journey together, it’s always nice to know something about our companions. Over the next few days you are encouraged to introduce yourself. You may choose to share:
- Your general geographic location.
- To whom or what you dedicate your days or energy, and why.
- How you came to know and read Henri Nouwen and whether or not you have participated in previous Henri Nouwen Society online discussions.
- What you hope to gain from this experience.
- Any comments you have on Robert Ellsberg’s Preface
Please scroll to the bottom of the page to post a comment introducing yourself and to share other thoughts as we embark on our Advent journey.
Shown below my signature is a brief personal introduction followed by the book discussion instructions for those joining us for the first time or interested in a review.
In gratitude,
Ray
Ray Glennon, Moderator: Ray and his wife Dawn live in Columbia, Maryland. He came to know and trust Henri’s written word in a special way in 2004 when he discovered The Return of the Prodigal Son for sale after Mass in Singapore at a difficult and transformative point in his life. He began participating in Henri Nouwen Society book discussions in 2010 and has served as a moderator since 2014. He has developed and led several adult education courses based on the life and work of Henri Nouwen. Ray and his wife are professed members of Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) and he volunteers in various ministries in his Catholic parish and at the Franciscan Shrine of St. Anthony. You may contact Ray by email at ray.glennon@1972.usna.com.
Henri Nouwen Society Online Book Discussion Instructions
Let’s briefly describe how our online book discussion works. If you’ve joined us before, this will serve as a review.
Beginning this Sunday, December 3rd, and each Sunday throughout Advent, a new entry or post will be added to the book discussion (the blog) home page. The post will identify the reading for the week, present a brief moderator’s reflection, and suggest some questions for discussion. Participants are invited and encouraged to comment on the post by responding to the suggested questions, by sharing their own reflections, and by replying to the comments of others throughout the week.
To read the comments or to leave a comment of your own, scroll down to the bottom of the post. If you don’t see any comments, click on the small link at the bottom that says ## Comments. To leave a new comment, continue scrolling down and use the “Leave a Reply” box. To reply to someone else’s comment, click the Reply link directly below their comment. After you submit a new comment or a reply, it needs to be “approved” either by me or Will at the Henri Nouwen Society so it may take a few hours before it actually appears on the blog page. If you have any questions or problems, please do not hesitate to contact me by email at ray.glennon@1972.usna.com.
