Inclusive communities - André Debattista

Jean Vanier, the founder of L’Arche communities, passed away at the age of 90 on May 7.  He had reflected upon death in an interview given to the Catholic Herald in 2002. He was not frightened of death – “of suffering, of anguish, maybe” – but death was a passage to life; “Living is much more difficult than death. There are quite a lot of people living, but they are as sad as death.”

His life was dedicated to fostering communities filled with humanity and love where dignity could be respected and cherished despite the presence of suffering, anguish and death.

He was the son of a distinguished Canadian family. His parents were dedicated public servants and devout Catholics. His father, Georges Vanier, was an officer and a diplomat who served as the Governor-General of Canada from 1959 until his death in 1967. 

It was through his mother Pauline that Jean got the first experience in helping those who suffer. While Georges Vanier was serving as Canada’s Ambassador to France during World War II, the young Jean assisted his mother in helping out survivors of Nazi concentration camps. He could not remain indifferent to the suffering he saw. The fear, the anguish, and their brokenness...