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Saturday, September 9, 2006

L'Arche USA

In 1964, Jean Vanier in France formed a community to provide a faith based place for the developmentally disabled and the able bodied to live together. That community has now grown to include many around the world. The first one in the US formed in 1972 and there are now 15 of them in our country alone. Its mission is based on the Beatitudes and includes....
1. To create homes where faithful relationships based on forgiveness and celebration are nurtured;

2. To reveal the unique value and vocation of each person;

3. To change society by choosing to live relationships in community as a sign of hope and love.

In recognizing Jean’s work, Pope John-Paul II stated, "over the past 30 years, L’Arche has grown to become a dynamic and providential sign of the civilization of love."

Henri Nouwen lived in a L'Arche community and wrote about his spiritual experiences there. Click above to read more.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Very interesting. I love Nouwen's writings. He really conveys how to live a spiritual life in community and brings together a perpective from several points of view.