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A prophetic message of compassion and human dignity from the founder of L’Arche, the worldwide movement for communities of the mentally disabled.
In 1964 Jean Vanier, a philosopher and former naval officer, moved into a dilapidated house in France with two companions and started the first L’Arche community. In time this grew into an international network of communities in which people with intellectual disabilities and those who assist them share their lives together. Though Vanier’s roots are Roman Catholic, the movement is deeply ecumenical, and his message of compassion, community, and his stress on the dignity and value of human life, have struck a universal chord.
This collection of Jean Vanier’s essential writings, published to mark his 80th birthday, reflects the great discovery of his life: “that we are healed by the poor and the weak, that we are transformed by them if we enter into relationship with them, that the weak and the vulnerable have a gift to give to our world… they call us together, in unity and peace, to build community.”
Carolyn Whitney-Brown lived with her family for seven years in the L’Arche Daybreak community in Toronto, Canada.
