University of Notre Dame, 1966 - 1968
Henri with colleague and friend Fr. Don McNeill.
At the invitation of his Menninger colleague Dr. John Santos, Nouwen joined the new psychology department at Notre Dame. He taught pastoral theology, served as priest to the academic community, offered counseling and made many lasting friendships. He was the first professor to teach abnormal psychology at this university and the first to invite Protestant psychology professors to give lectures.
This period launched Nouwen’s teaching career and his fruitful writing career. His lectures on themes of depression, intimacy and love were well-attended and drew the attention of a journalist from the National Catholic Reporter who requested permission to publish one of the lectures. The positive response led to publication of his first book, Intimacy: Essays in Pastoral Psychology, in 1969.
