The Road to Daybreak A Spiritual Journey

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

TRADE PB

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity, Spirituality, Faith, Biography, Theology

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, theologian, psychologist, professor, and spiritual writer whose work profoundly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality. Born in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, in 1932, Nouwen pursued religious studies and was ordained a priest in 1957. His intellectual curiosity led him to study psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and later at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas, where he explored the connection between faith and mental health. Throughout his life, Nouwen remained committed to integrating pastoral care, psychology, and spiritual theology in a way that addressed the emotional and existential needs of believers.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.

Reviews

[Josh Sorensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard of Henri Nouwen for years as he is often quoted and referred to by various authors. But I am pleased to have this book be my first official introduction to his life and ministry. At some point within the past month this book was recommended on social media, and I am thankful I added this to my reading list as my first book of 2019.

I would love to continue to read more of his journals and hear more of his story, particularly as the accounts in “The Road to Daybreak” are recorded in the middle years of his life and ministry. I greatly appreciated his genuineness and transparency, particularly as it relates to his loneliness, his struggles with various sin, his desire to be loved and accepted by others, and those moments when he would go through bouts of depression and doubt. I found much consolation is seeing him grow in grace and confidence in God’s perfect will for his life. I was also challenged by his strong commitment to personal confession and accountability, as well as his journey along the path of humility and anonymity.

I have another book by him that I intend to read later this year.

This was also the first time I read a book by a Catholic priest. And while he and I would certainly differ in areas of theology, I was wonderfully united with him in his desire to make Jesus the center of his life and ministry. He genuinely and passionately loved Jesus and this book has only helped me to love Jesus more too.

[Payton Pustejovsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henri Nouwen feels like a really close friend - one who authentically shares his own thoughts and struggles that make me feel much less alone in mine while also leading me towards hopefulness and faithfulness. This book is Henri’s journal entries over one year when he began working with the mentally handicapped as he calls them! Blessed are the poor in spirit.

A lot of great quotes but here’s one I liked: “So I am praying without knowing how to pray. I am resting while feeling restless, at peace while tempted, safe while still anxious, surrounded by a cloud of light while still in darkness, in love while still doubting.”

[Ben Sahyouni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to read as a complement to my daily devotional. There isn't much of an overarching theme, it's basically just Nouwen's daily journal entries for a year as he makes the transition from being a Harvard scholar and professor, to living in a community where he cares for disabled adults, first in France, and then in Canada.

There is so much in this book that challenged me. Nouwen is repeatedly grappling with his own desire for prestige and renown, and forcing himself to let all of that go in the service of living a Christ-centered life. As someone who is tempted to continually ask myself whether I am impressive enough, whether I have done enough, and how I can do more, Nouwen's decision to abandon his life of fame and prestige to care for the least of these really made me confront a lot of things within myself.

"I have already received so many hugs and kisses here from people who have never heard of me and are not the least impressed by me that I have to start believing that the love they offer is freely given, to be freely received."

This book is mostly about how beautiful all human beings are, and how God loves each of us freely and without reservation. Nouwen writes a lot about how much he grows to love and even depend emotionally on the disabled adults who, from a worldly perspective, have nothing to offer him. Ultimately, he connects this back to how much God loves us. Not because we are great or impressive, but because as human beings, God has made us worthy of love.

Like I said, there's no real unifying theme to the book, but it's still brilliant and insightful on almost every page. It made me wonder how much I really love Jesus, and it made me want to love him more and better. But most of all, it made me want to stop trying to be great, and to learn to accept love just as I am.

[Matthew V Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite satisfying

“It is becoming increasingly clear to me that Jesus led me to where I never wanted to go, sustained me when I felt lost in the darkness of the night, and will guide me toward the day no longer followed by night. As I travel with Jesus, he continues to remind me that God’s heart is, indeed, infinitely greater than my own.”

I love reading Nouwen’s journals. It feels like getting to hang out with someone I have come to know, admire, and even love. His willingness to share his inner thoughts, his fears and turmoils, and his moments of grace. He invites me to willing go with Jesus to the places I too don’t want to go.

Nouwen captures the profound mystery of life better than most. Jesus said that if we are to be his disciples we will need to take up our cross and follow him. The road to life and joy is through the valley of the shadow of death. The only way to life is through death. Jesus didn’t only die for our sins, he showed the us the pattern of life, which includes the cross. As scary as that is, once you have taken Jesus’ hand and followed him into the darkness, he brings you into a light you never knew existed.

Nouwen became a companion for me as I was heading into the darkness and I couldn’t be more grateful.

If it helps, I recommend reading this book after reading a number of his other works. It helps to experience the development of his life through his writing, I think.

[Rachel Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

(5⭐️) I’ve really come to enjoy this sub-genre of Nouwen’s catalogue, and that is his journals. This journal chronicles the time before Nouwen moves to Toronto to join the L’Arche Daybreak community, as he’s learning more about L’Arche and making this discernment with them. I picked it up by happenstance (I can’t get enough of Nouwen and his writing) and it turned out to be exactly what I needed to read during this current season of my life. His struggles with emotions, his needs, discernment, and figuring out what God is calling him to is so real and cuts to the heart. There is a complexity and depth that is even more cutting in his journals than his other books. I am so grateful that through this text we are given access into the interior life of a spiritual leader like Nouwen.

[Jen Heininger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one should be read on repeat.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife picked up this book because friends of ours were culling their books and we both have read a fair amount of Henri Nouwen, but mostly from before his move to L'Arche Daybreak in 1986. Mind you, those books have had a considerable influence on me, so I welcomed the chance to follow Nouwen's journal in the year proceeding his move. These journals trace Nouwen's year at Trosley, the original site of l'Arche as he was discerning what he would do after he left his position at the Harvard Theological School. In this book, we see Nouwen's growing conviction of his call to L'Arche and his struggle with his weaknesses and depression.

Many of the themes are familiar to those who have read Nouwen's other books, but Road to Daybreak is an interesting addition to understanding this important spiritual writer, particularly the epilogue which discusses Nouwen's troubled first year at L'Arche Daybreak. All in all, a worthwhile book for those interested in Nouwen's spiritual journey and those interested in the process of discernment in general.

[Pearl Loewen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate anything Nouwen writes, although I've read enough of his books that they all start to blend together. He is so honest about his struggles: "Notwithstanding my many prayers, my periods of retreat, and the advice from many friends, counselors, and confessors, very little, if anything, has changed with regard to my search for inner unity and peace. I am still the restless, nervous, intense, distracted, and impulse-driven person I was when I set out on this spiritual journey. At times this obvious lack of inner maturation depresses me as I enter into the 'mature' years." It is encouraging in that I have the same lack of spiritual growth; it is depressing in that if even a saint of sorts like Nouwen can't experience the transforming gospel, what hope do I have? In any event, this was not my favourite Nouwen book, but vintage Nouwen for those not familiar with his writing.

[Juno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henri Nouwen is a unique spiritual writer because of his authenticity and honesty. His journals (including this one) are extremely personal and I am constantly surprised at how much he is willing to open up and share his/her feelings and inner struggles and doubts in his faith. Many people see this as a sign of weakness especially as a spiritual leader but I believe he wanted to reach out to a specific group of people. Moving from an academic life as a theology professor and leader in Harvard/Yale/Notre Dame to one serving the mentally and physically handicapped for the remainder of his life is proof of this.

By sharing his depression, weaknesses, and struggles, he comes closer to congregation and readers who deal with similar issues and tries to find a common compassion, forgiveness, and love that can be expressed to all. I personally recommend Return of the Prodigal Son, Gracias if you’ve never read any of his books.

[Jonathan Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writings of this man of great faith has been hugely inspiring to me. The way he writes about those around him and also of himself, you can really feel his heart upon the pages. But more than the emotional vunerability that this book exhibits, it is the exploration of the self and the intensive listening that this book shows that has inspired me. In fact, this book led me to write a Journal through one of the most transitional periods of my life, which helped me to really process the world around me with the LORD that I love. I would truly encourage all to read this, especially for those who are struggling in a space of temporality and a lack of security. Christ can be found on every page of this book!

[James Mortimore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just the second book I have read by Henri Nouwen. I, myself, have also recently joined a L'Arche Community and this book has been hugely meaningful in a number of ways.

Most powerfully, Henri Nouwen is able to both excel in how he writes, communicating so clearly and concisely, whilst also doing that with such a refreshing and deep sense of his own human and spiritual failings. L'Arche Community in my experience is different to that which he experienced, and yet some of the same joys and challenges exist and become the catalyst for a great deal of self reflection. I resonate with so much of what he says, and his honesty provides some sense of release of my own honesty about my own failings.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstandingly honest account of a personal journey through a year of new beginnings. The personal struggles are not hidden and the balance of need for reflective solitude and interdependent friendships is particularly well narrated in what is a very intimate journal into which the reader is drawn by the warmth and lucidity of the daily entries. It challenges the reader to put Jesus right in the centre of Christian faith rather than personal relationships and service of others. One of the very best biographical accounts of discipleship.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nouwen's diary entries form his time at L'Arche, a community of disabled people n France.
Lovely wise insights. Lots to highlight in this short book.
"Jesus always leads us to littleness - it is the place where misery and mercy meet. It is the place where we encounter God. To choose little people, little jobs, the little sorrows and to trust that it is there that God will come close - that is the hard way of Jesus."
"If we truly want to see the glory of God we must move downward with Jesus."
"A slow job together is better than a fast job alone." (Said when working with the disabled.)

[Reid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished in 1988 this is more a collection of what I'd considered modern day blogs about Nouwen's musings about his stay at the L'Arche community in France and how he felt led to move to the L'Arche community in Toronto called Daybreak.

Over the course of the book I appreciated some insights and I was kind of surprised by how unsettled he seemed to be.

I was not as moved or engaged in this book as I was with his book about the prodigal son.

[Oguz Alhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henri suffered well and he always presented his sufferings to the Lord. He has been gifted, so he understood humanity in the midst of their suffering. By being brutally honest to himself in his journals, he helps us. When one reads his journal entries, he realizes that sufferings that one goes through is both unique to himself but also common to all. I loved how Henri helps me not to feel alone with struggles of life, like he always did almost all of his books.

[Deirdre · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of quotes from this book have stuck with me over the past three years since I read it, about what it really means to give yourself entirely to a community with no expectation of getting anything back out of it - no success, no accolades, nothing to add to your resume - and how good that actually is for your soul. And how like Jesus that way is. Would recommend.

[Tiffany Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so much about disabilities

I love Henri and was deeply touched by his Life of the Beloved. Will I enjoyed this book I chose it hoping to better integrate my work with students with developmental disabilities and my faith. But this book talks very little about the realities of serving this population. Not anyone’s fault but that’s where I was coming from.

[Doug Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nouwen is always worth the read, and he is courageous in his brutal honesty. His vulnerability is a big reason why so many are moved by his words. His love for Jesus and to see the worth of the individual is inspiring. The only drawback for me in this book is I'm not much for the typical journal or blog.

[Steffanie Kamper Culp · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many Henry now in books can you read in one lifetime? Apparently I'm trying to find out. I really enjoy this book and the last one of his letters that I've read recently. Both of them really get to a much more honest and vulnerable reality of his struggles. Which are so relatable!

[Marlies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heel gewoon, een persoonlijk dagboek, en toch inspirerend om te lezen.

[Pamela Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational and motivating.

[C.S. Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt and raw. Ate up every crumb nouwen dropped as he feasts with the lord

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Nouwen's diary of the year before he ends up at Daybreak. It has some interesting thoughts and insights, but in my opinion, isn't quite as good as some of his other stuff.

[Owen Cottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were more books like this. Honest memoirs from the walk of faith. Journalling the journey from striving for influence to embracing hiddenness for Christ. Great stuff!

[Bill Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t want to put this one down

Ordered one for a friend

[Zack Loy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will help you see God through others. I was on the verge of tears many times throughout the reading of this book.

[Colleen Jantzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Honest. Insightful.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also would work well as a daily devotional if you read one section a day. Loved hearing more about the L’arche community.

[Philip Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! So full of personal and spiritual thoughts and insights that have helped me walk with Jesus this Lent.

[Parker Mindel]

I love Henri Nouwen.