School of Love

WHEN FATHER THOMAS PHILIPPE brought philosopher Jean Vanier on a tour of asylums, institutions, and psychiatric hospitals, Vanier discovered “a whole new world of marginalized people ... hidden away far from the rest of society, so that nobody could be reminded of their existence.” A year after this realization, recounted in The Heart of L’Arche, Vanier founded the first L’Arche community in his new home in France. Vanier shared meals, celebrations, and grievances with Raphael Simi and Philippe Seux, two men who had lived in asylums ever since their parents passed away.

Vanier was inspired by life with these friends, and motivated by a new understanding of Luke 14:12-14: “‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’”

In the words of Vanier, “L’Arche is a school of love.” It is a “family created and sustained by God,” and it is an embodiment of the belief that “each person is unique, precious, and sacred.” In practice, L’Arche is a global network of communities: People living with and without developmental disabilities sharing meals, prayers, work, and advocacy efforts.

Eileen, an artist and a member of the L’Arche community in the Washington, D.C. area, explained to Sojourners that through L’Arche she can explore museums, create and share art, cook and host a pork-chop dinner, or stay in and watch television with friends. She’s learned much over her decades with L’Arche and, she explained, “I teach people how to pray.”

This model of shared life is the natural expression of intentional listening and biblical stewardship. L’Arche challenges the Western cultural assumption that successful societies must run on hierarchy, competitiveness, and individualism. At L’Arche, success itself is distorted and overwhelmed with love. In The Road to Daybreak, renowned theologian Henri Nouwen writes this about his time at L’Arche after leaving Harvard: “Here there is no urge to success; here time is filled with dressing, feeding, carrying, and just being with those in need. It is a very demanding and tiring way, but there is no rivalry, no degree to be acquired, no honor to be desired—just faithful service.”

While many of L’Arche’s 146 communities were founded in the Roman Catholic tradition, today L’Arche USA communities are ecumenical and welcome people of all faiths. In 2014, L’Arche celebrated its 50th anniversary, and earlier this year, Vanier was named recipient of the Templeton Prize, an annual award recognizing “entrepreneurs of the spirit.” You can join the celebration by praying the “Jubilee Prayer,” read by L’Arche communities across 35 countries:

Loving God, you called us into being and gave us our mission. Thank you for the gift of one another. Thank you for our journey together in L’Arche from the beginning till now. Help us continue to grow in our response to you, listening to your voice within us, seeing you around us, delighting in our gifts, forgiving one another for our failings, trusting in you, and welcoming tomorrow in faith, hope, and love.