Our Life Together

More than 40 years ago, Jean Vanier, author of the bestselling Becoming Human, invited two men with developmental disabilities to live in his home. This simple act of friendship and compassion has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. Vanier is the founder of the international movement of L'Arche communities and of Faith and Light, two organizations that bring together people with developmental disabilities and the friends who share their lives. A respected humanitarian, Vanier espouses the simple and inspiring philosophy that the marginalized, weak and lonely can teach us great things and that true spirituality can come from our relationships with the less fortunate. There are now more than 130 L'Arche communities on six continents and in 30 countries, welcoming people of all spiritual beliefs.