Movements of the Heart: Henri Nouwen on the Spiritual Life
Anyone familiar with the writings of Henri Nouwen recognizes his relentless focus on our life with God and how it must be lived out from the core of our heart—which to Nouwen is the real driving force of our spiritual life. For him, such life constitutes a threefold dynamic movement: from communion to community to commission. In this retreat, we will explore Nouwen’s heart-centered spirituality with its corresponding emphasis on the dynamics of solitude, community, and ministry. More importantly, we will address in practical ways how each of us can strive to live out our life in a more integrated fashion as exemplified by Nouwen himself. Through the teaching sessions, personal reflection times, and small group interactions, we hope to deepen our own grasp of our life in the Spirit—the very notion of Nouwen’s “mere spirituality”—in a way that not only arrests the true condition of our own heart but also positively impacts the heart of others and the world as a result.
Wil Hernandez, author of “Mere Spirituality: The Spiritual Life According to Henri Nouwen” will present a 4-day retreat focusing on our spiritual life.
Wil Hernandez, PhD, Obl. OSB, is an international retreat leader and author of a trilogy on Henri Nouwen plus the recently published “Mere Spirituality: The Spiritual Life According to Henri Nouwen”. He manages the Nouwen Legacy Associates (www.nouwenlegacy.com) – an outfit designed to promote the spiritual legacy of Nouwen through retreats, workshops, seminars, book studies, and classes (both on-ground and online). All year round, Wil travels all across the U.S. and abroad participating in and/or conducting various Nouwen events in both Catholic and Protestant institutions.
Wil is the founder and executive director of CenterQuest (www.CQCenterQuest.org) – an ecumenical hub for the study and practice of Christian spirituality which primarily hosts a School of Spiritual Direction (SSD) program. A widely trained spiritual director, he maintains a private practice in Pasadena, California as well as through phone and web connections. Wil is also an active member of Spiritual Directors International (SDI) and serves on the editorial panel of “Presence Journal”.
Affiliated with Saint Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo, California as an Oblate, Wil particularly enjoys visiting different Benedictine monasteries everywhere so he can participate in the Liturgy of the Hours and devote regular time for personal retreat and writing. When not traveling and speaking, Wil stays in Southern California at his home in Arcadia with his family and works in his Pasadena office.
Check-in begins at 3pm on Wednesday. A Welcome Session will be held at 5pm. The retreat will conclude with lunch on Sunday.
