"Journey of the Heart: The Life of Henri Nouwen" is a comprehensive portrait of the Dutch-born priest and author of more than 40 books who is described in narrator Susan Sarandon's opening remarks as "one of the most beloved and important spiritual thinkers of the 20th century." (It is said here that Father Nouwen's "The Return of the Prodigal Son" is the favorite book of Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.)

Karen Pascal's film airs on PBS affiliates throughout the month of April (check local listings). For those unfamiliar with Father Nouwen, a traditional chronological approach might have been preferable, as biographical details do not emerge until about 14 minutes into the film, but once the narrative takes hold, one comes to appreciate the full measure of his accomplishments.

Beyond being such a prolific writer, Father Nouwen was an impassioned lecturer and teacher (Yale and Harvard) and a dedicated humanitarian. Yet, despite all this, the numerous talking heads in the film speak of his chronic personal loneliness and alienation, all very much at odds with such an outwardly manic, high-energy personality whose gestures sometimes conjure Woody Allen.

Born in the Netherlands in 1932 to a strongly religious mother and intellectual father, Father Nouwen was also greatly influenced by his devout grandmother. While other children were playing with toys, young Henri spent most of his time in his attic chapel equipped with a child-size altar. Two brothers and a sister confirm his strong early spiritual bent, and his great attachment to their mother, whose death proved devastating.

Ordained a priest in 1957, he came to the United States and taught psychology at the University of Notre Dame (he was fascinated by the connection between that field and religion). After getting his master's degree in Holland, he taught pastoral theology at Yale School of Divinity and later at Harvard Divinity School.

He became deeply involved in the civil rights movement, marching with demonstrators, and later walking behind the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s coffin. He spent seven months as a monk with the Trappists and worked with the poor and oppressed in Latin America and the L'Arche community for the handicapped.

There is a good deal of footage of Father Nouwen either lecturing or at Mass, and generous clips from a television interview. Pascal has assembled colleagues from every phase of his life --- Harvard, Yale, Notre Dame, L'Arche International and elsewhere --- who offer pithy insights.

For all Father Nouwen's mental brilliance, he is described paradoxically as childlike and helpless, often plagued with a sense of self-rejection. He had a complete breakdown after the deterioration of a "close and meaningful" friendship during the L'Arche period, though the film is reticent about details. In any case, when he recovered, it was with a sense that God must be our first love.

After the massive heart attack he suffered prior to his death in 1996, he said to a friend, "If I die, just tell everyone I'm enormously grateful."

Despite his considerable personal demons, he lived his whole life hoping to help others on life's journey, and this film will likely inspire others to seek out the writings of this spiritual but very human "wounded healer."

Besides its airing on public TV stations, the program can be ordered on home video by phone at: (800) 523-0226, or online at: www.visionvideo.com.

Harry Forbes is director of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies.