Michael W. Higgins, Ph.D., is the leading biographer of Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen. He is a celebrated scholar, an award-winning author and documentarian, and the Vatican affairs specialist for the Globe and Mail and CTV Network. He is currently Distinguished Professor of Catholic Thought and previously served as Professor of Religious Studies and Vice-President for Mission and Catholic Identity at Sacred Heart University. He is also a Senior Fellow of Massey College, University of Toronto. Previously, he served as the president of St. Jerome’s University in the University of Waterloo, and of St. Thomas University in New Brunswick.
Prof. Higgins has edited and co-edited, authored, and co-authored thirteen books including: Heretic Blood: The Spiritual Geography of Thomas Merton, The Jesuit Mystique, Power and Peril: The Catholic Church at the Crossroads, Stalking the Holy: The Pursuit of Saint-Making, and Genius Born of Anguish: The Life and Legacy of Henri Nouwen. Dr. Higgins is the recipient of many awards, including the 2013 Gold Medal for International Radio Documentaries awarded by the New York Festivals. He is a regular contributor to Commonweal and the Literary Review of Canada and a columnist for the Telegraph-Journal and the Irish Catholic.
Praise for Michael Higgins
“Michael Higgins is a first rate public intellectual. His is among the most erudite and astute voices in matters of spirituality and culture that we have in North America today.” – Prof. Joseph Raab, Co-Editor of The Merton Annual
“Michael Higgins is a gifted writer and speaker whose work on major spiritual figures such as Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen and others guarantees that his listener is in for a banquet of rich, spiritual, and life-giving fare.” – Paul M Pearson, Director, Thomas Merton Center
“Dr. Michael Higgins is truly one of the luminaries of the contemporary Catholic intellectual tradition which he has served and enhanced during his rich professional life as a writer and journalist. Consider any one of his numerous contributions to this essential feature of Catholic culture and be broadened, deepened, and enlightened in the wondrous richness of faith-filled engagement in the life of our world.” – Kathleen Deignan, C.N.D., Ph.D., President, International Thomas Merton Society
Rev. Lawrence Hansen Portland, Oregon USA –
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I appreciate Dr. Higgins’ focus on understanding Nouwen–and Merton–as human beings with their own frailties and “growth edges:” no hagiographies here, but an appreciation for the gifts each one contributed to the deepening of the spiritual life in the post-modern era.
Thomas Hostomsky, New York, NY, USA –
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Prof Higgins had the real “dope,” as Merton used to say. And he was enthusiastic.
Chuck Beebe, Coatseville, PA USA –
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Truly the most honest revelation of an individuals experience. Very inspiring and left me hungering for more of Thomas Merton.
Joan D., CA –
Spring Survey: April 2017
I felt the DVD onThomas Merton was excellent and he discussed his book…
Anonymous –
Summer 2018 Survey
Merton still speaks to us all. Dr. Michael Higgins excellent research and presentations brought Merton’s life, teaching and passion to life for us. Too bad more of Merton on DVD not possible.