The founder of L'Arche, communities for people with intellectual disabilities. He was ninety. Jean Vanier gave up much to serve… to learn more about him hit this link – A governing philosophy of the communities is Vanier's belief that people with disabilities are teachers, rather than burdens bestowed upon families.
Here is what Pope Francis had to say about him and below the picture is a link to a wonderful (short) article off the Knights of Columbus website.
Vanier died on May 7, 2019. A week before his death, Pope Francis called Vanier to personally thank him for his years of ministry and service.[21] Following his death, Pope Francis, who was flying back to Rome from North Macedonia, told a group of journalists, "I want to express my gratitude for his testimony" and stated Vanier could read and interpret not only the Christian gaze on "the mystery of death, of the cross, of suffering", but also "the mystery of those who are discarded by the world."[22]
It was this passion for living the Gospel that led him to create L’Arche, the movement for people with intellectual disabilities that now numbers more than 120 communities in 30 countries. It was in one of these communities that Jean lived until his passing …
It was one of my greatest joys as supreme knight to present the Gaudium et Spes Award, the highest honor of the Knights of Columbus, to Jean in 2005. The presentation came hours after the death of St. John Paul II. In accepting the award, Jean recalled being with the pope in Lourdes, France, just eight months earlier.
“Looking at Pope John Paul II in the eyes, I saw him as a sign of the glory of God because the glory of God is the manifestation of his presence in the weak.”
The same can be said of my friend Jean Vanier. He was a philosopher who was also a man of action. He was a true icon of the Beatitudes. We must now continue his mission. We must rededicate our lives to the service and protection of others. We must love as Jean loved.
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