After conducting numerous retreats focusing on the spirituality of Henri Nouwen over the past five years, the time has come to introduce a thematic format designed to immerse retreatants into a more in-depth experience of the journey process through a yearlong retreat series. The structure will follow the main flow of the two books I've written on Nouwen which attempt to synthesize certain themes in his spiritual journey.
I invite you to participate next year (2011) in this unique experience which we are launching for the first time this year. If you are a serious student and an avid reader of Nouwen's writings, consider investing a year of journeying with Henri Nouwen via four sequential retreats, with a focal emphasis that builds upon each other (see below for more detailed information).
- It's a communal journey.You develop rich relationships and fellowships with the other participants over a period of one year.
- It's a transformativ eprocess. You are bound to experience a change of mind and heart as you wrestle with Nouwen's insights into the spiritual life and have a taste of the reality of community.
- It's a learning experience. You will be exposed to a good synthesis and integration of Nouwen's thoughts via mini-lectures on his writings, engaging directly with his books, and profiting from the collective insights of the group.
- It's a balanced rhythm.You will have ample times of private reflection and communal gathering and be immersed in a healthy cycle of solitude and community which Henri Nouwen himself held in creative tension throughout his life.
- It's a thematically-focused retreat. You will be able to concentrate on a particular emphasis in Nouwen's journeying reality (one journey at a time) without being inundated with too much data and content (see Retreat Themes below).
| JOURNEY 1 | JOURNEY 2 | JOURNEY 3 | JOURNEY 4 |
| Journey of Integration |
Journey of Imperfection |
Spirituality of Imperfection |
Ministry of Integration |
Each Journey Year is a stand-alone retreat -- that is, you can choose to attend any year you like, each with a different theme -- although it would be better to begin with Journey I in order to experience a better content flow. Each year will constitute a different cohort of participants (15-20 per cohort). People can attend all four of the Journey Retreats consecutively (which is the most ideal format) or simply choose from any one of them.
February 4-6
April 15-17
July 29-31
October 7-9
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Journey II 2011 – Journey of Imperfection
WEEKEND RETREAT FOCUS
February 4-6 – A Psychology of Imperfection
This retreat focuses on the reality that the path to wholeness is through brokenness.
April 15-17 – A Ministry of Imperfection
The theme revolves around Nouwen's idea of powerlessness---that in ministry, power is perfected through weakness.
July 29-31 – A Theology of Imperfection
The emphasis is on how our communion with God is really a union in suffering as prelude to glory.
October 7-9 – A Spirituality of Imperfection
This retreat synthesizes the counterintuitive brand of spirituality that Nouwen himself embodied---a spirituality of imperfection.
Application/Registration Information
To apply, email wil@nouwenlegacy.com or call 626-318-6696. You can also download and/or fill out an Application Form here
Once approved, you can register for the first weekend retreat (February 4-6, 2011) directly through Mary & Joseph Retreat Center (c/o gericsson@maryjoseph.org / 310-377-4867 ext. 234).
Cost for each weekend retreat is $ 295 (shared room) and $ 355 (single room). Discount of $ 10 if paid in full 3 weeks prior to the retreat date.
Application Deadline: December 15, 2010
Registration Deadline: January 15, 2011
Retreat Facilitator
WIL HERNANDEZ, PhD, is a trained counselor and a certified spiritual director who regularly conducts retreats all over the country aside from teaching at Fuller Theological Seminary, Azusa Pacific University, and Loyola Marymount University. Wil has committed himself to promoting the spiritual legacy of Henri Nouwen via speaking and writing.
Required Reading
In the main, Henri Nouwen: A Spirituality of Imperfection and Henri Nouwen and Soul Care: A Ministry of Integration will be the primary basis of the retreat contents. There will also be other suggested Nouwen books.
Scholarship Fund Donation
If you are led to donate towards the Journeying with Henri Nouwen Retreats Scholarship Fund to help subsidize the retreat fees, click here (Please send me an email once you make a specific donation towards this need to notify me). Thank you!
