Nouwen Youth Day

When:  May 14, 2026

Where: Sam Sorbara Hall, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto

 

Registration opens January 15 and closes May 1 or when capacity is reached. First-come-first-served.

Beloved: Where Anxiety Ends and Love Begins

Discovering Your True Identity with Henri Nouwen

 

The Henri Nouwen Society is pleased to offer a special Nouwen Youth Day in connection with our international conference. This special event will be led by our 30<30 Young Nouwen Leaders. These 30 leaders hail from five countries and have spent the last year journeying together and creating special projects that integrate the spiritual wisdom of Henri Nouwen with today’s context. This cohort is excited to engage Catholic High School Students and share their creative, interactive, and compelling presentations.

300 students

The Nouwen Youth Day will gather approximately 300 students for a day to be inspired through worship, reflection, interaction, and dialogue with peers.

School Participants

Ideally, each Catholic Secondary School may send up to 10 participants. (9 students and 1 supervisor/chaperone). Schools may, of course, register additional attendees on the registration form.

Please note: Nametags with details about assigned groups will be available onsite. Please arrive early to ensure students are signed in and given their nametag.

All participants need to bring their own lunch!

Register Today

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Wendy VanderWal Martin is a sought-after speaker, author, spiritual director, and ministry leader. She first encountered the life-changing wisdom of Henri Nouwen as a hurting 16-year-old—an experience that set the trajectory for her vocation and faith. Today, Wendy serves as a Director at the Henri Nouwen Society and is the creator of the 30<30 Young Nouwen Leader program, which invites younger generations into spiritual transformation through Nouwen’s teachings. With more than two decades of ministry experience, Wendy has worked alongside marginalized communities, accompanied those wounded by the church, and helped cultivate vibrant spiritual communities. Known for her warmth, passion, joy, and humor, she speaks compellingly to the realities of our anxious, distracted, and isolated world.

Small Group Sessions

Groups of ten (9 students 1 chaperone) will have opportunity to engage with 3 different presentations led by 30<30 Leaders. Sessions will include interactive activities and invite students to explore spiritual practice, the arts, building community, and addressing loneliness, anxiety, and identity.

Program Schedule

9:30 – 10:00 a.m: Arrival / Hospitality / Registration

Gallery Walk

10:00 – 10:05 a.m: Welcome

Land Acknowledgement & Opening Prayer

10:05 – 10:30 a.m: Worship 

10:30 – 11:00 a.m: Keynote: Dr. Wendy VanderWal Martin & Reflection Exercise

11:10 – 11:40 a.m.

Lunch – half the group (identified on name tag)

Small Group Session 1 - Students will be assigned to groups of 10 (identified on name tag)

11:50 – 12:20 p.m.

Lunch – second half of the group (identified on name tag)

Small Group Session 2 - Students will be assigned to groups of 10 (identified on name tag) 

12:30 – 1:00 p.m.

Small Group Session 3 - All students in groups of 10 (identified on name tag)

1:10 – 1:30 p.m: Prayer and Closing

Guidelines/Expectations for Chaperones & Students

Everyone who attends the Nouwen Youth Day is encouraged to participate actively and to behave appropriately so that all may enjoy this special day.

Chaperones

  • Chaperones are to remain on-site with students – we stress supervision and presence throughout the Nouwen Youth Day.

  • We ask the adults to participate in all components of the day: presentations, small group sessions, etc.

  • Prepare in advance for the Nouwen Youth Day by registering with all student/ chaperone details and arriving to St. Michael’s on time. Ensure all students/chaperones bring a lunch with them.

  • Encourage students to behave appropriately.

  • Encourage students to attend and participate in their group sessions.

  • If students are loitering in hallways during presentations/group sessions, direct them to the appropriate event

  • Encourage students to move promptly from one activity to the next.

  • Keep your eyes open to problems that could arise.

Students

  • Attending the Nouwen Youth Day is a special privilege. We expect that all participants take advantage of the opportunities of the day and participate fully in the activities and presentations.

  • Students will treat other participants with respect and dignity.

  • Students are not permitted to leave the premises during the event.

  • Students will respect the college property, refraining from causing damage or vandalizing.

  • Students will bring their own lunch to the event.

  • Students will move to their next station as efficiently as possible.

  • Please ensure that you have read the guidelines and expectations