Read

Watch

Honoring the Life-Giving Mission of L'Arche

Published:
May 20, 2024
May 7, 2019
Learn more about L'arche, founded by Jean Vanier, has helped disabled individuals in more than 35 countries.|Learn more about Jean Vanier and how his organization has helped disabled individuals in more than 35 countries.|Learn more about Jean Vanier and how his organization has helped disabled individuals in more than 35 countries.

Editor’s note: In the spring of 2020, an investigation by the L'Arche organization founded by Jean Vanier found credible the allegations that Vanier sexually exploited six women. Grotto has revised this story to highlight the continuing work of L’Arche to build authentic community between differently abled people.

L’Arche is a network of almost 150 communities in 35 countries around the world where adults with mental disabilities live with caregivers. In the 1960s in France, Jean Vanier visited a government-run psychiatric hospital and was disheartened to see how those people were living. So he invited two men with intellectual disabilities who were institutionalized to come live with him in his home near Paris.

They shared life together, and the radical community they shared — where the disabled and caregivers live together as equals, each with their own essential contributions to common life — became a model for other homes. The program was named L’Arche, after Noah’s ark.

We now know that Jean Vanier was not a person of integrity, and while we mourn the loss of his witness, we haven’t lost the L’Arche community. Faithful people continue to carry out its life-giving mission around the world today. This video from L’Arche Atlanta decribes some of the relationships that are fostered in L’Arche.

 

 

 

Creators:
Grotto Shares
Published:
May 20, 2024
May 7, 2019
On a related note...
5 Things You Need to Know About Meditation

5 Things You Need to Know About Meditation

Martha Reilly

Why Are We Fascinated with True Crime?

Why Are We Fascinated with True Crime?

Father Greg Haake, CSC

Pope Francis is Calling Us to Dream Together

Pope Francis is Calling Us to Dream Together

Arlene F. Montevecchio

4 Catholic Things that Help Me Manage Mental Health

4 Catholic Things that Help Me Manage Mental Health

Stephanie DePrez

The Community Meal That Changed My Life

The Community Meal That Changed My Life

Shannon Evans

How We Can Cultivate Communion in Solitude

How We Can Cultivate Communion in Solitude

Christian Santa Maria

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

This Passionate Volunteer Creates Magic

This Passionate Volunteer Creates Magic

Grotto

"In This Place, I Find Hope"

"In This Place, I Find Hope"

David Liambee Gbe

Meet a Modern Peace Activist

Meet a Modern Peace Activist

Renée Roden

3 Reasons You Should Be Watching 'The Good Place'

3 Reasons You Should Be Watching 'The Good Place'

Josh Noem

Meet the First American Saint, Mother Cabrini

Meet the First American Saint, Mother Cabrini

Ken Hallenius

5 Paintings That Have Shaped My Understanding of God

5 Paintings That Have Shaped My Understanding of God

Maureen O'Brien

10 Charities That Need Your Online Advocacy

10 Charities That Need Your Online Advocacy

Maria Walley

Why You Should Be Reading Outside

Why You Should Be Reading Outside

LuElla D'Amico

Our Tips for Making the Most of Thanksgiving

Our Tips for Making the Most of Thanksgiving

Grotto

Why I'm Catholic: God Loves Me

Why I'm Catholic: God Loves Me

Grotto

Letters from the Past Orient Our Fight for Justice

Letters from the Past Orient Our Fight for Justice

Josh Noem

Why Pope Francis Wants You to Pray the Rosary Right Now

Why Pope Francis Wants You to Pray the Rosary Right Now

Grotto Shares

Merry Christmas from Grotto Network

Merry Christmas from Grotto Network

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.