Jean Vanier-- Life and L'Arche

Jean Vanier was born on September 10, 1928 in Geneva, Switzerland where his father, General George Vanier, was on a diplomatic mission. Jean’s early years were spent in England where he lived and attended school. When World War Two began Jean, his four brothers and sisters were sent back to Canada where much of the Vanier family resided.
Two years after his return to Canada, at the age of 13 and with his father’s permission, Jean decided to enroll in the Royal Navy Academy in England. Jean was too young to become a soldier and decided instead to go to Paris and help his mother who was working with the Red Cross. Jean helped his mother after the liberation give aid and care to those being released from the concentration camps.

In 1945 Jean received his commission and began a promising navel career, but it was not to be. In 1950, after much prayer and reflection on god’s call, Jean resigned from the navy and went to Paris to study philosophy at the Catholic Institute. It was during his course of study that Jean met Father Tomas Phillipe who became his spiritual mentor and friend.

In 1963, after publishing doctoral thesis on Aristotle, Jean returned to Canada to teach at the University of Toronto, yet again it was not to be. Father Tomas Phillipe had become chaplain at an institution with men with intellectual disabilities in Trosly- Breuil and Jean decided to join him.
In 1964 Jean Vanier did something, which at the time, was unheard of; Jean invited three men, Raphael, Phillipe, and Dani, all of whom had disabilities to live with him in a cottage in Trosly- Breuil. The cottage had a stove, no toilet, and a small garden. After a day Dani returned to the institution he was unable to live life outside the structured walls of which he had become accustomed. Those in L’Arche recognize Dani’s return the institution as a gift. L’Arche is not for everyone not is everyone for L’Arche. We are human and all have different needs, those needs are constantly growing and changing.  Jean had no preset ideas when he invited Phillipe and Raphael other then he wanted to create a community with Phillipe and Raphael in the center. Initially, Jean made many of the decisions, created a routine, and did not ask Phillipe or Raphael’s opinions. One day Jean awoke to realize that if he really wanted to create a community he had to listen more. He also realized that he had committed an irreversible act; by inviting Phillipe and Raphael to live with him he created a covenant and a lifelong commitment. After a time it was suggested that this home needed a name and it was suggested that this home be called L’Arche- meaning The Ark in French-referring to Noah’s Ark.

During this time Jean expected that this community would include people who “had other difficulties”, people who were homeless, or had other difficulties. One day Jean gave a man from the street a lift. Phillipe and Raphael annoyed the newcomer and one day the man became violent. This act showed Jean that he needed priorities. Phillipe and Raphael were his priority; he could not endanger their lives. It was not easy for Jean but he had to send the man away.

It was through this growth and change that what became L’Arche first took shape. Jean, Phillipe, and Raphael began to build the first L’Arche community together. Later in 1968, inspired by the idea that faith and community can change the world, Jean Vanier co-founded Faith and Sharing where familes who have a member who is developmentally disabled and their friends come together once a month for support and celebration. It was in 1969, after a retreat at which Jean was speaking, that the first community in North America was founded. In 1970, again after a retreat at which Jean was speaking, that the first community in India was founded.  It was in 1973 that Jean co-founded Faith and Light, which brought together people with an intellectual disability and their family members and friends for regular gatherings and periodic pilgrimages of friendship.
Jean felt it was important to bring others who felt called to lead and called to L’Arche. In 1981 Jean stepped aside as International Coordinator of L’Arche, but continued to sit as Founder on the International Council of L’Arche.

Jean continues to live in L’Arche in Trolsly- Breuil and travels occasionally, speaking and inspiring others. Jean joked that the gift he was given for his 80th birthday is that he no longer has to do the dishes. He continues to inspire with his words, his actions, and his very presence. We invite you to come an experience L’Arche as we celebrate community.

Resources
Wikipedia- Jean Vanier http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Vanier
L’Arche-- http://www.larche.org/jean-vanier-founder-of-l-arche.en-gb.23.13.content.htm
Vanier a Biography-- http://www.larche.ca/en/jean_vanier/biography/
L’Arche Iranacon, A history of L’Arche-- http://www.larcheirenicon.org/larche.htm