Our Latest Events
Find Community & Get Inspired
Henri Nouwen Society events are an occasion for people from all walks of life, and from all around the world, to explore spiritual themes that emerge in the writings of Henri Nouwen.
Spiritual Reading Group: Letters to Marc About Jesus
This November, the Henri Nouwen Society Book Club will turn to Letters to Marc About Jesus, a deeply personal and heartfelt collection of reflections in which Henri shares his insights on following Christ with honesty, courage, and love. Written as letters to his dear friend Marc, these pages offer gentle guidance on encountering Jesus in everyday life and responding to God’s call with openness and trust.
Spiritual Reading Group: The Return of the Prodigal Son
This October, the Henri Nouwen Society Spiritual Reading Group will gather to reflect on one of Henri’s most beloved and transformative works: The Return of the Prodigal Son. Inspired by Rembrandt’s painting of the same name, Henri invites us to enter deeply into the biblical story of forgiveness, reconciliation, and unconditional love.
Listening with the Heart: The Way of Prayer
This three-part online video series explores the transformative practice of prayer through the wisdom of Henri Nouwen, guided spiritual practices, and conversations with three thoughtful guests.
New sessions will be released on Saturday mornings—September 5, 12, and 19—and participants may watch them at their own pace. The series concludes with a live Zoom gathering on Monday, September 21 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, offering an opportunity to reflect together and share insights from the journey.
The Word Within: Henri Nouwen on Encountering God Through Scripture
How did Scripture shape Henri Nouwen's spiritual life, teaching, and understanding of God's love? Join us this summer for The Word Within, a special three-part online video series exploring Nouwen's rich engagement with the Bible and the ways Scripture became a living source of prayer, transformation, and encounter throughout his life.
Book Club: The Wounded Healer
This June, we invite you to join the Henri Nouwen Society Book Club as we explore one of Henri’s most influential and enduring works: The Wounded Healer. In this foundational book, Henri offers a vision of spiritual leadership rooted not in strength or perfection, but in compassion, vulnerability, and shared humanity. He reminds us that it is often through our own wounds—and the healing we ourselves seek—that we become able to minister to others with authenticity and love.
2026 30th Anniversary Conference
To mark the 30th anniversary of Henri’s Nouwen’s death and celebrate his continuing impact, we will gather to reflect on how his writings provide insight into how we might offer a healing response to the many challenges facing us in this, the third decade of the 21st century….
Book Club: The Inner Voice of Love
Join us this April for Reading Henri: Reflect, Connect, Grow, a three-week online book club centered on Henri Nouwen’s deeply personal and powerful spiritual classic, The Inner Voice of Love.
A Spirituality of Fundraising 2026
Join host, Dr. Wendy VanderWal Martin, Director of Development, Henri Nouwen Society and guest, Jamie Lennon, Vice President of Mission Advancement, Lutheran Social Services in this three-part series, which explores how Scripture, spiritual practice, and theological grounding transform fundraising from transactional activity into transformational ministry.
Lent Connections
Join us at 3pm EST on Zoom each Sunday through Lent.
Gather with us to share the spiritual wisdom of Henri Nouwen and together observe this rich liturgical season.
Book Club: Lifesigns
February 9, 16, 23 at 7:00 PM
Join us this February for a new session of the Henri Nouwen Society Book Club as we explore one of Henri’s most inspiring and hope-filled works: Lifesigns. In this beautiful book, Henri invites us to recognize the subtle signs of God’s presence in our lives and to choose the path that leads us from fear into love, from isolation into authentic community, and from the illusions that burden us into the truth that sets us free.
Throughout the month, we’ll take time to reflect on these themes together—considering what it means to live as the Beloved in a world that often encourages self-protection, comparison, and anxiety. Each week offers an opportunity to pause, breathe, and rediscover the gentle movements of God within and around us. With guided small group discussions on Zoom, our book club provides an encouraging environment for spiritual growth and connection.
Whether this is your first encounter with Henri Nouwen or a return to a cherished classic, we would be honoured to have you journey with us. Your presence enriches our community, and your reflections help create a shared space where readers from around the world can deepen their faith, ask meaningful questions, and notice the “lifesigns” that remind us of God’s love in every season.
Book Club: Reaching Out
JANUARY 12, 19 & 26
Join the Henri Nouwen Society as we explore one of Nouwen’s most enduring works, Reaching Out. In this timeless book, Nouwen reflects on the spiritual movements that shape our lives: from loneliness to solitude, from hostility to hospitality, and from illusion to prayer. With characteristic vulnerability and insight, he invites us to cultivate a more centered, hospitable, and prayerful way of being in the world.
This guided book club offers a welcoming space for thoughtful reflection, meaningful conversation, and connection with fellow seekers inspired by Nouwen’s life and writings. Whether this is your first time reading Reaching Out or a return to a beloved classic, we invite you to journey with us.
All are welcome—come read, reflect, and grow with the Henri Nouwen Society.
Take the next step on your spiritual journey. Enter with us into a space of solitude, hospitality, and prayer.
Advent Connections 2025
Join Bruce & Wendy for our annual Advent Connections - a live Zoom gathering at 4PM each Sunday in December. Together we will observe this rich liturgical season through the spiritual wisdom of Henri Nouwen, lectio and visio divina, times of communal sharing and prayer, and opportunities for reflection and silence. We hope to see you there!
Book Club: Discernment
Discernment: Grow in spiritual practice to access and understand what God is trying to say.
Monday - November 10, 17, 24
7pm Eastern
Book Club Spiritual Formation
Join Us for the Henri Nouwen Book Club: Spiritual Formation
🗓 When: Mondays, October 13, 20 & 27 • 7:00 PM Eastern
📖 What: A live, online spiritual journey through Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit — a deeply integrative guide drawn from Henri Nouwen’s teachings, journals, and conversations.
henrinouwensociety.ticketspice.com
Together, we’ll reflect, converse, and grow in community as we listen to the Spirit’s movements and allow Nouwen’s wisdom to guide our path.
henrinouwensociety.ticketspice.com
💡 Who’s it for?
Anyone seeking deeper insight, clarity, companionship in the spiritual life, or wanting to walk more closely with God.
henrinouwensociety.ticketspice.com
🎟 Cost: “Pay what you can” model — your participation matters most. Whether you give a little, a lot, or nothing at all, you’re welcome.
Book Club: Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Direction: Welcome Henri as your personal spiritual director!
Mondays - September 15, 22, 29
7pm Eastern
Creation Speaks: Nature as a Path to God
This September 2025, the Henri Nouwen Society invites you to a soul-stirring online video series: “Creation Speaks: Nature as a Path to God.” Over four Saturday mornings, explore how the natural world reflects the presence, mystery, and love of God — and how creation itself can be a guide in deepening your spiritual journey.
Each session features guest Robert Jonas, a Psychologist, Retreat Leader, Land Steward, and intimate friend of Henri Nouwen, in a beautifully crafted video that weaves together wise insight, reflections on nature, scripture, and contemplative practice. Following the video, participants are invited to join an optional live Zoom discussion group — a welcoming space to share insights, ask questions, and grow together in faith.
2025 Lecture and Symposium
The 2025 Henri Nouwen Lecture & Symposium is a forum for reflection, learning, and growth, guided by Nouwen's profound insights into the human condition, faith, and the transformative power of spiritual practice.
Inaugural Speaker: Ron Rolheiser
Location: Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, Texas
Dates:
Lecture: August 21, 2025
Symposium: August 22 - 23, 2025
Book Club: Following Jesus
Join Our Online Study of Following Jesus by Henri Nouwen
In today's world of uncertainty and anxiety, Henri Nouwen’s book Following Jesus: Finding Our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety offers timely wisdom and hope. The Henri Nouwen Society invites you to a three-week, online group study where we’ll explore Nouwen’s insights together.
Each session will begin with a brief introduction on Zoom, followed by small-group discussions in breakout rooms using guided questions. If you're interested in serving as a small group moderator, please let us know below!
Meeting Schedule (Wednesdays)
📖 April 30 – Introduction & Chapters 1-2
📖May 7 – Chapters 3-4
📖May 14 – Chapters 5-6
Session Start Times by Time Zone
🕓 4:00 PM Pacific
🕔 5:00 PM Mountain
🕕 6:00 PM Central
🕖 7:00 PM Eastern
🕗 8:00 PM Atlantic
🕣 8:30 PM Newfoundland
Please read the assigned chapters before each session and come ready for an engaging discussion about the challenges of our time—and the spiritual antidote to the anxiety that surrounds us.
We hope you'll join us on this journey of faith and discovery!
Lent Connections
Join Bruce & Wendy for a live Zoom gathering at 4PM (Eastern time zone) each Sunday in Lent. Each week we’ll share the spiritual wisdom of Henri Nouwen, make space for spiritual practice and prayer, and share together as we enter the invitation of reflection in this sacred liturgical season.
At the end of the hour, optional 30 minute break-out rooms will be available.
A Spirituality of Fundraising 2025
This year's series welcomes 8 international guest speakers, including Nathan Ball, friend of Henri Nouwen and author of the workbook edition of A Spirituality of Fundraising. Each session also features space for spiritual practice and reflection questions, and an open live chat for discussion and connection.
Advent Connections 2024
Join Bruce & Wendy for a live Zoom gathering at 4PM each Sunday in December as they invite us to observe this rich liturgical season together, as they share with us the spiritual wisdom of Henri Nouwen.
A Beautiful Adventure: the Gift of the Arts in Spiritual Formation
The Henri Nouwen Society invites you to join us for our upcoming annual meditation series. This year’s FREE 4-part video series integrates compelling teaching with space for spiritual practice, as Carolyn Arends invites us to embark on a beautiful adventure exploring the way the arts can enliven and deepen our spiritual lives.
A downloadable Reflection Guide will accompany each video.
Lent Conversations
Guided by Henri Nouwen's book "Show Me the Way," Executive Director, Bruce Adema, and our Director of Development, Wendy VanderWal Martin, host LIVE Zoom conversations throughout the season of Lent.
Call to be Fruitful
A celebration marking the legacy & retirement of executive director Karen Pascal. Special guests included: award-winning singer-songwriter, Steve Bell, former Tyndale President, Brian Stiller, Prison Fellowship's Stacey Campbell, Kingsway-Lambton United Church Choir, & more.
A Spirituality of Fundraising
FREE webinar that brings together philanthropists and fundraisers for an honest and rich conversation about spiritual postures and practices for health and sustainability. Featuring Brian Bachan, Rose Feerick, Mark Peterson & Wendy VanderWal Martin.
A Living Gospel - Annual Meditation Series
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Ukraine Diary Book Launch
A Book Launch webinar for Nouwen's latest treasure, featuring special guests: Laurent Nouwen, Henri's younger brother, good friend Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Robert Ellsberg, long time friend and publisher.
Peacework
A special Advent webinar featuring an in-depth conversation with two life-long peace activists, award-winning actor Martin Sheen and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Fr. John Dear.
Under the Big Top
Featuring rare video clips of Henri Nouwen, and special guests: Rodleigh Stevens, founder and leader of the Flying Rodleighs, Carolyn Whitney-Brown, co-author of Flying, Falling, Catching, and British filmmaker Bart Gavigan.
From Fear to Love: Spiritual Grounding in Anxious Times - Meditation Series
“From Fear to Love: Spiritual Grounding in Anxious Times” is a 5-part video series featuring best-selling author and retreat leader Marjorie J. Thompson. Each video has free PDF downloads & transcripts.
Voices for Peace 2022
Featured keynote for 2022's Voices for Peace -- award-winning author and the publisher of Orbis books, Robert Ellsberg, talks about creating a culture of peace that embraces the radical vision of the Beatitudes.
Praise for Henri Nouwen Society Events!
"Thank you from Germany! It is a great blessing to attend this conference. Henri is such an exceptional source of inspiration!"
-Justin, Germany
"Greatly enjoyed the webinar. I'm listening from far away Kenya!"
-Matthew, Kenya
"It's 2 AM here in Manila, but this conference is worth staying up for! Thank you so much for this grace!"
-Luis, Philippines