Phillip N. Grigsby

Learning from Henri Nouwen and Vincent van Gogh

Christian Living

“Carol Berry, artist, storyteller, and theologian (my words not hers), invites us to journey into the transcendent, intersecting worlds of Fr. Henri Nouwen and Vincent van Gogh by recreating the experience of the only seminar by Fr. Nouwen on 'TheCompassion of Vincent van Gogh.' I believe Henri to be one of the most, if not the most, profound and approachable spiritual guides of the last century, and Vincent an equally similar guide through his art. Carol's work sheds light on lesser known aspects of Vincent's life and vocation and at the same time invites us to reflect on our own lives as Henri evoked the compassionate way, moving from the solidarity of suffering to consolation and then to comfort. Carol is refreshingly honest in telling her experiences with both Henri and Vincent but in ways that invite the reader to look more deeply into their own experiences and 'see therein the presence of the divine.' This compelling work will appeal to a broad audience in many fields.”