The journals of Henri J. M. Nouwen chart the spiritual journey of this well-traveled, intense priest, teacher, and writer. In these daybooks, he processes his feelings, ideas, and experiences as touchstones to the presence of God in his life. Genesee Diary covers the seven months in 1974 he spent in a Trappist abbey; "Gracias" is an account of a six-month sojourn during 1981-82 as a priest among the poor in Bolivia and Peru; and The Road to Daybreak is an 1985 volume about his calling to serve as pastor of Daybreak, a L'Arche community in Toronto that is home to mentally ill and physically handicapped people.
During the time spent in the abbey, Nouwen finds himself reflecting again and again upon the importance of prayer, the bounties of solitude, and the pursuit of ardor, a fervent love of God. In his Latin American sojourn, the author tries to discern whether or not he is called to minister to the poor. Nouwen celebrates the dignity of those he lives with and comes to a deep appreciation of the virtues of humility and gratitude. In the last journal, the author revels in a chance to serve. He feels blessed by the handicapped people who share their vulnerabilities and reveal the purity of their hearts. These journals are filled with spiritual insights into the unique nature of Henri J. M. Nouwen's Christian path.
