A Virtuoso of Phases and Stages
Michael Centore on Encountering Henri: The Living Legacy of Henri Nouwen: “This is another theme that crops up repeatedly in these reflections—the line between writing and life, and the way they mutually reinforce or rework each other into a hard-won form of personhood. ‘His ability to explore essential elements of our humanity, not only through his writing but through how he lived, was one of the reasons he became one of the most read and beloved spiritual writers of our time,’ Michelle O’Rourke observes in the appositely titled ‘Henri’s Spirit Alive in My Life and Work.’ Carolyn Whitney-Brown, a friend of Nouwen’s from their time together at L’Arche Daybreak in Ontario, suggests ‘that one aspect of Henri’s enduring power seems to be not so much in his thinking or his writing but in Henri as a person, as he described himself, and as others experienced him.’”
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Listening and Receiving
Drawing from influences such as folk, Americana, hymnody, and singer-songwriter traditions, musician Rick Lee James writes songs that invite listeners into honest reflection about hope, suffering, mercy, and belonging. His recordings include Thunder, Basement Psalms, and Hymns, Prayers, and Invitations, earning him recognition for thoughtful songwriting and spiritually rich storytelling. His latest single, “Heaven Is Full of Criminals,” featuring legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy, continues his exploration of God’s surprising mercy and the possibility of redemption for all who need grace.
This week’s podcast conversation with Rick moved from his upbringing as the son of a pastor to the early influence of music on his life and faith. We touch on some of his songwriting influences and practices and the role of the musician as a kind of “conduit” for story, melody, and image. Rick also discusses how his work as a hospital chaplain complements and informs his songwriting, and why the art of attentive listening is so vital to both vocations.
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Faithful Women Advancing the Work of Decolonization and Anti-Racism:
A Poem and a Retreat
Women and non-binary people are invited to join Catholic writer, contemplative activist, certified spiritual director, and previous TAC contributor Leslye Colvin for a free virtual daylong retreat on Saturday, November 7. In preparation for the Season of Advent, participants will gather in community to reflect on the lifelong and intergenerational work of decolonization and anti-racism through Leslye’s writing, guided reflection, and creative contemplative practice. Leslye’s poem “Come Down Jesus in a White Body,” published here for the first time, will serve as one of the guiding texts of the retreat.
Leslye has studied at the Living School of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the Guild for Spiritual Guidance. For more information, visit her website or email her at leslyeslabyrinth@icloud.com. Click here to register.
Upcoming Events
There is still time to join the Prophecy Workshop convened by Solidarity Hall and the Lost Prophets podcast! In each session, hosted every Friday from 1PM-2PM ET, the group will talk about short readings (all PDFs or accessible online) related to key themes distilled from several of our lost prophets:
Prophecy/Exile—readings from A. J. Heschel, Marc Ellis, Daniel Berrigan, bell hooks
Inner Sanctum—readings from Heschel, Thomas Merton, Thich Nhat Hanh
Askesis/Renunciation—readings from Ivan Illich, Gary Snyder, Dougald Hine
Vocation/Work—readings from Peter Maurin, Paul Goodman, Wendell Berry
Inhabitation—readings from Gary Snyder, Wendell Berry, bell hooks
Conviviality—readings from Ivan Illich, Jane Jacobs, L. M. Sacasas
Registration is available here. The Workshop’s recommended donation is $10/monthly (or an annual donation of $100) via a subscription to the Lost Prophets podcast on Substack.
We’ve been hearing great things about Dr. Ariane David’s presentation, “From Conflict to Understanding,” hosted by Root & Branch on September 17. Beginning with the question, What is the thinking that keeps us stuck in our thinking, unable to move on, unable to find lasting solutions to our differences, unable even to “hear” each other?, Dr. David explored the elements of “non-positional thinking,” a technique to overcome the mental habits that keep individuals and societies stuck in conflict. The recording of the presentation is available here.
On October 8 at 3pmET, Dr. David will follow up with part II of her presentation incorporating a series of experiential exercises. Participants will have an opportunity to put non-positional thinking into practice and experience how it can change the quality of a difficult conversation while still holding to one’s principles. These skills can be used in political and religious discussions, as well as in the everyday conversations with family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Registration is available here.
Join Fr. Adam Bucko in conversation with Mirabai Starr about the newly revised and expanded edition of her classic text God of Love, originally published in 2012, on Tuesday, September 29, at 3pmET. Fr. Adam writes: “We are living in a time when so much conspires to divide us and make strangers of one another. In that context, this new edition of God of Love feels particularly timely: an invitation to return to the deeper currents of our traditions and to ask what kind of people our encounter with the sacred is forming us to become.” The conversation will be streamed live to Substack; see (and subscribe) to Fr. Adam’s Contemplative Witness newsletter for details.
Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, Connecticut, will host two visual art–themed retreats in the month of October. On Saturday, October 10, Fr. Sam Fuller, OFM Cap, will facilitate For the Beauty of the Earth: Sculpture as Prayer; Beauty, the Apophatic and Hope. This event will explore the nature of beauty as a revealed gift, the apophatic as negation leading to presence, and hope as embodying unity and solidarity. Sculptures from Fr. Sam’s show at the retreat center gallery will be integral to his conferences, and the day will include time in the gallery.
Then on Saturday, October 24, Ronald Barnett, PhD, will facilitate The Good Eye Opens: An Introduction to Contemplative Photography. From a still, silent, receptive mind, mindful photographing opens a richer visual field beyond concepts, revealing greater beauty, clarity, elegance, and poignancy. This is not merely a photography workshop, but a practice of cultivating nonconceptual awareness, allowing the camera to express perceptions precisely as they arise in present-moment experience without distraction or judgment.
Both programs will be offered both in-person and online via Zoom. Information on how to access the program on Zoom will be sent to participants in advance.