In the final year before his death in 1996, Henri Nouwen wrote an account of the death of his friend Adam, a severely handicapped young man from L’Arche. In the story of Adam he found a way to describe his own understanding of the Gospel message. Adam could not speak or even move without assistance. Gripped by frequent seizures, he spent his life in obscurity. And yet, for Nouwen, he became his friend, teacher, and guide. It was Adam who led Nouwen to a new understanding of his faith and what it means to be Beloved of God.
Through this story, Nouwen found a new way to tell God’s story and the story of all of us human creatures, broken and yet beloved, who live in a world charged and alive with the mystery of God’s love. Completed only weeks before Nouwen’s own death, Adam became a final, precious gift, a fitting reflection of his own message and legacy. Adam: God’s Beloved, invites you to rediscover in your own life what it means to be God’s Beloved. (Review taken from the book jacket.)
About the Author
Henri Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian. His interests were rooted primarily in psychology, pastoral ministry, spirituality, social justice and
community. After nearly two decades of teaching at academic institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School and Harvard Divinity School, Nouwen went on to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the L’Arche Daybreak community in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Before his death Nouwen published 39 books and authored hundreds of articles.
