JEAN VANIER
Jean Vanier, the son of former governor general George Vanier and his wife Pauline, was educated in England and Canada. After eight years in the Royal and Canadian Navy, he went to study in France where he received his doctorate in philosophy. He later taught at St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto.
Deeply moved by both the poverty and the beauty of people with developmental disabilities, Jean experienced a call from God to share his life with them. In 1964, he bought a small house in the medieval French village of Trosly-Breuil and invited Raphael and Philippe, two men with developmental disabilities, to begin living with him.
From this humble, heartfelt and inspired beginning, L’Arche has grown to include more than 140 communities in over 30 countries around the world organized as L’Arche International. Jean also co-founded Faith and Light, another international network of communities in which families with developmentally handicapped children come together for mutual support, encouragement, prayer, and celebration.
With many bestselling books and humanitarian awards to his name – including the Pope Paul VI International Prize, the International Peace Award, and the Companion of the Order of Canada – Jean has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and has been called “a Canadian who inspires the world” (Maclean’s Magazine) and a “nation builder” (The Globe and Mail).
Jean continues to live in Trosly-Breuil where he remains a vital part of this original L’Arche community.
