| Publications |
| Books |
|
The Paradox of Disability
Responses to Jean Vanier and L'Arche Communities from Theology and the Sciences |
| Hans S. Reinders, editor |
 (Softcover; Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Pp183)
In 2007 an impressive assortment of social scientists and theologians gathered in northern France at the community of L’Arche Trosly-Breuil, home of the first of over 100 L’Arche communities worldwide. The gathering was organized to solicit from them a response to a question posed by the founder of L’Arche, Jean Vanier: “What have people... [Read more] |
Dancing with Dynamite
Celebrating Against the Odds |
| Tim Huff |
 (Softcover; CastleQuay Books, 2010; Pp174)
Author Tim Huff invites readers to join him on a soulful journey into a variety of worlds that most people would describe as painful, awkward, peculiar and sometimes even ugly; the very places where celebration happens least, but matters most. Dancing with Dynamite explores the unlikely triumph of the human condition when it’s realized for its splendor... [Read more] |
LIVING L'ARCHE
Stories of Compassion, Love, and Disability |
| Kevin S. Reimer; foreword by Jean Vanier |
 (Hardcover; Liturgical Press, 2009; Pp184)
From the Foreword
In our L’Arche communities we live together: people with disabilities and people who for one reason or another come to be with them…What is it like to live together? Here is an excellent book that will tell you what it is all about and how it really is…These stories are not idealized — far from it. They tell of the pains and... [Read more] |
The Boy In The Moon
A Father's Search for His Disabled Son |
| Ian Brown |
 Ian Brown’s son, Walker, was born with a genetic mutation so rare that doctors call it an orphan syndrome: perhaps a hundred people around the world live with it. At twelve, Walker is still in diapers: he is globally delayed, he can’t speak and he has to wear cuffs on both his arms so that he won’t constantly hit himself. Yet those details don’t capture him. Despite the turmoil and pain of... [Read more] |
Walking On A Rolling Deck
Life on the Ark |
| Kathleen C. Berken |
 (Softcover; Liturgical Press, 2008; Pp131)
In 1999 Kathy Berken left Green Bay, Wisconsin, for her new home as a live-in assistant in a L’Arche community in Clinton, Iowa. Although the life she left was not necessarily one of balmy beaches, she could never have predicted the storms that lay ahead. A former high school and college math teacher and staff member of The Compass, the newspaper of... [Read more] |
| JEAN VANIER: ESSENTIAL WRITINGS |
| Edited by Carolyn Whitney-Brown |
 (Softcover; Novalis, 2008; Pp176)
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 developmental disabilities and those who assist them share their lives together. Though Vanier’s roots are... [Read more] |
Living Gently in a Violent World
The Prophetic Witness of Weakness |
| Stanley Hauerwas and Jean Vanier |
 Softcover; IVP Books, 2008; Pp115)
Rather than contending for privilege by wielding power and authority, we can witness prophetically out of our brokenness. The church has much to learn from an oft-overlooked community—those with disabilities, who point us anew to the very heart of the gospel.
In the fascinating volume, theologian Stanley Hauerwas collaborates with Jean Vanier, founder... [Read more] |
Our Life Together
A Memoir in Letters |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Hardcover; HarperCollins, 2007; Pp565)
From the respected humanitarian and internationally bestselling author of Becoming Human, an inspiring life told through the letters that turned a community into a movement. Our Life Together contains over four decades of Vanier’s letters to friends and to both L’Arche and Faith and Light communities all over the world. With an insightful introduction... [Read more] |
| Man and Woman God Made Them |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Novalis, 2007; Pp197)
In this new and fully revised edition of a classic text, Jean Vanier examines the significance and sources of human sexuality. Drawing on his years of experience of Christian community life with and for people with disabilities, he explores the implications of the relationship of man and woman from a Christian and community standpoint. When Vanier... [Read more] |
| The Miracle, The Message, The Story: Jean Vanier & L'Arche |
| by Kathryn Spink |
 (Softcover; Novalis, 2006; Pp305)
In 1964 an extraordinary man started an extraordinary project. Jean Vanier, a Dartmouth-trained ex-naval office, and son of the Governor General of Canada, bought a small house in a village to the north of Paris, and invited three men with developmental disabilities to share it with him. This was the beginning of l’Arche (The Ark)
, a special form of... [Read more] |
| Befriending the Stranger |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Novalis, 2005; Pp131)
In Befriending the Stranger Jean Vanier reflects on who we are and how we build our communities, and in particular asks, can we be truly compassionate towards others if we are not compassionate towards ourselves? In a series of six meditative pieces, he opens up God’s invitation to us today, in the midst of all the violence and corruption of the world, to... [Read more] |
| Encountering 'the Other' |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Paulist Press, 2005; Pp62)
The reflections in this book come from Jean Vanier’s talks at a conference in Derry-Londonderry in June 2004 entitled Encountering ‘the Other’. This conference enabled people from many religious backgrounds and nationalities to come together and encounter difference and explore and celebrate that difference. The conference revealed that when we encounter... [Read more] |
| Drawn into the Mystery of Jesus through the Gospel of John |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Novalis, 2004; Pp360)
The fruit of many years of reflection, study, prayer and living in community Drawn into the Mystery of Jesus through the Gospel of John is Jean Vanier’s in-depth study of this, his favourite Gospel. With a deep understanding of the context, language, symbolism, historical setting and biblical roots of John’s Gospel, Vanier guides us step-by-step through... [Read more] |
My Life Together
L'Arche Communities and the Challenge of Unity |
| Hilary Wilson |
 (Softcover; Darton, Longman & Todd, 2004; Pp102)
My Life Together is a collection of stories, pictures, poems and songs drawn from daily life in l’Arche communities in Britain. Edited by Hillary Wilson, a member of l’Arche for nearly 20 years, these stories illustrate how life with those who are vulnerable, different or excluded can challenge us all to more truthful relationships that... [Read more] |
| Finding Peace |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; House of Anansi Press, 2003; Pp89)
Written in response to the tragic events of September 11 Jean Vanier reflects on recent world events, identifying the sources of conflict and fear within and among individuals, communities, and nations that thwart us in our quest for peace. Peace is not just the work of governments or armies or diplomats, he argues, but the task of each one of us. [Read more] |
L'Arche Communities
New Movements and Communities in the Life of the Church |
| Helen Reid Thomas |
 (Softcover, pocket format; Catholic Truth Society, 2002; Pp74)
This little book helps fill the need for a concise, yet thorough introduction to the history and development of L’Arche. Although written by British author Helen Reid Thomas with special attention given to the development of L’Arche in the United Kingdom and Ireland it nonetheless offers a good overview of the history of L’Arche... [Read more] |
Made for Happiness
Discovering the Meaning of Life with Aristotle |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; House of Anansi Press, 2001; Pp203)
Made for Happiness stems from Vanier’s 1962 doctoral thesis on Aristotle. Having discovered, through his work with people with disabilities, the degree to which our society is divided and our values are misplaced, Jean Vanier invites us to consider a vision of happiness developed 2,400 years ago. He offers us an uplifting, contemporary,... [Read more] |
| Seeing Beyond Depression |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Paulist Press, 2001; Pp89)
“Depression, that dark and painful force which invades the deepest part of our being and spreads throughout our whole body, has its origins in the wounds of our childhood…In order to emerge from this state of loss and grief and begin a new life, people need not so much a therapist as friends who are prepared to walk with them.”—Jean Vanier... [Read more] |
Becoming Human
CBC Massey Lectures (10th Anniversary Edition) |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; House of Anansi Press, 2003; Pp161)
In this provocative work, Jean Vanier shares his profoundly human vision for creating a common good that radically changes our communities, our relationships, and ourselves. He proposes that by opening ourselves to outsiders, those we perceive as weak, different, or inferior, we can achieve true personal and societal freedom. Our society... [Read more] |
One Bread One Body
The Ecumenical Experience of L'Arche |
| Thérèse Vanier |
 (Softcover; Novalis/Gracewing, 1997; Pp98)
The L’Arche communities of handicapped people and their assistants found around the world embrace people of different Christian tradition, those of other World Faiths, and those whose spirituality has no explicit foundation in any of the major religions. “Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.” The words of the... [Read more] |
The Scandal of Service
Jesus Washes Our Feet |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Novalis, 1996; Pp86)
The Scandal of Service is a meditation on what Jesus did at the Last Supper when he laid his outer clothing aside and washed and dried his disciples’ feet, a task ordinarily performed by the lowly household slave. Jean Vanier pursues the connection of this gesture of humility and service to Jesus’ actions at the Supper with the bread and wine, to the... [Read more] |
An Ark for the Poor
The Story of L'Arche |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Novalis, 1995; Pp125)
From the first community founded in France in 1964 L’Arche has spread throughout the world. There are now more than 120 communities in over 30 countries worldwide where handicapped people and those who share their lives with them live out their daily lives in the light of the beatitudes. In this book L’Arche founder Jean Vanier tells the story of the... [Read more] |
| Jesus, the Gift of Love |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Crossroad Publishing Company, 1994; Pp189)
‘Who do you say that I am?’ Jesus asked his disciples. Many people have sought to answer this question over the centuries – in learned academic volumes and in their own everyday lives. In Jesus the Gift of Love, Jean Vanier offers an introduction to the Jesus of the Gospels, which has grown out of his own prayer life and community life.... [Read more] |
The Spirituality of Imperfection
Storytelling and the Search for Meaning |
| Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham |
 (Softcover; Bantam Books, 1994; Pp293)
“I am not perfect’ is a simple statement of profound truth, the first step toward understanding the human condition—for to deny your essential imperfection is to deny your own humanity. This illuminating book brings together the wisdom stories of many traditions and faiths, from Hebrew prophets to Buddhist sages and Christian teachers, and from... [Read more] |
FROM BROKENNESS TO COMMUNITY
The Wit Lectures |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Paulist Press, 1992; Pp52)
The text in this book originated as two lectures given by Jean Vanier at Harvard University in 1988. He speaks eloquently of the lessons he has learned from the disabled adults he serves at his community in France and at other houses. He speaks of his own healing and his own need for people. He speaks of the power of belonging and how it satisfies... [Read more] |
| Community and Growth |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Paulist Press, 2nd revised edition 1989; Pp331)
Contemporary society is the product of the disintegration of more or less natural or familial groupings. People are afraid, uncertain—and shut themselves away. But they need companions, friends with whom they can share their lives, their visions and their ideals; in short, they need community. Jean Vanier, founder of the... [Read more] |
The Broken Body
Journey to Wholeness |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Darton, Longman & Todd, 1988; Pp145)
How can we discover the sources of wholeness, healing and hope amidst a broken and suffering world? Jean Vanier examines the roots of brokenness within the Jewish and Christian traditions and the meaning of the Good News of Jesus for our world. The Broken Body is written for all who wish to follow Jesus on the path to wholeness. Vanier... [Read more] |
| I Meet Jesus |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Eitions Paulines, 1987; Pp208)
In moving uncluttered language Jean Vanier tells us that the message of Christianity is quite simple, profound in its effect and capable of transforming our lives totally. It speaks about meeting Jesus, the Savior, who changes our lives deeply by giving us new hope. It tells of the Good News Jesus came to bring: how he lived, how He healed the sick,... [Read more] |
| I Walk with Jesus |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Editions Paulines, 1987; Pp200)
I Walk With Jesus is a book that puts us in touch with the central meaning of the Gospel: we follow the way of Jesus when we serve those who are suffering and needy, and we are strengthened in this by prayer, the Word of God, and the love of our brothers and sisters. It helps us to recognize Jesus, to see more clearly where He is alive and present... [Read more] |
Vanier: Combined Volume
Followers of Jesus & Be Not Afraid |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Griffin House, 1980; Pp145)
Followers of Jesus [1976] derives from four talks given by Jean Vanier in February 1969 to major superiors of religious orders in Toronto, Canada. The talks give flashes of insight into what it means to follow Jesus. The chapters are entitled To Become Good Shepherds, Discerning The Spirit, Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit, and Come, My Beloved.
Be... [Read more] |
| Eruption to Hope |
| Jean Vanier |
 (Softcover; Griffin House, 1971; Pp105)
In Eruption To Hope Jean Vanier pleads for the poor, the lonely and the marginalized—for all those who are shut away and forgotten. He asks Man to give of his substance and not merely from his abundance of “extras”. This collection of poems and talks given to international groups, businesspersons and educators is also of vital interest to individuals. [Read more] |