Thank God for Jean Vanier

“We have universities, we have schools of technology. But where are the schools for love? Who will teach us to love? Who will help us to come out from the frontiers that we lock ourselves behind?”  Jean Vanier

Jean Vanier, Canadian philosopher, theologian, and profoundly Christian founder of the l'Arche movement has been awarded the Templeton Prize. The Templeton is named after the Christian investor and philanthropist and it ain't chump change. The 86-year-old will receive $2.1 million and he will probably give it away. Vanier formed the first l'Arche community for the physically and mentally challenged in the 1960's in France, and there are now communities around the world. Another profound Christian, Henri Nouwen, left the "stardom" of a top academic position and round-the-world speaking engagements to live in a l'Arche community north of Toronto.

 

I would suggest that these Arks, places of dignity and shelter for the residents, have influenced the approach to care far beyond the actual communities. These thoughts from Jim Coyle in the Toronto Star say it so well:   

 Of all the unlikely wonders that humankind has wrought, the empires, the inventions, the monuments, one of the most marvellous might be the simplest.That L’Arche, an international network of communities where people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work together, is the work of a Canadian makes it all the more gratifying. That the hero, Jean Vanier, is a man of peace when the word “hero” is so overwhelmingly used these days by prime minister on down in reference to war is remarkable.

 

I have a couple of Vanier's books and I have heard him speak at least twice, maybe more. He is a true disciple of Christ and it is wonderful that he has received this recognition but it will not go to his head.

 

Do you know much about Jean Vanier?