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About L'Arche
From www.larche.org, the official website of L'Arche International
"L'Arche is a Federation of faith based communities where people with a developmental disability and those who share their lives, live committed and mutual relationships in family-style homes, workshops, schools and day-care centres.
L'Arche was founded in 1964 by Jean Vanier after a Dominican priest called Père Thomas Philippe suggested that he should 'start something' for people with learning difficulties. Vanier then met two men called Raphael Simi and Philippe Seux, who were living in a large institution near Paris, and invited them to come and make a home with him. Their new life together began in an ordinary house near the village of Compiegne. They began with help from friends in the Catholic Church and Canadian state and then more people from different denominations and different countries. One house turned into several and a community called L'Arche (French for The Ark) was born.
Today's International Federation of L'Arche Communities comprises about 5,000 members in 131 communities and 34 countries, with projects in Egypt and Bangladesh and contacts in Korea and Taiwan. Each community is a place of transformation where weakness and vulnerability are accepted. Communities commit themselves to accompany their members in their personal, spiritual and professional development.
L'Arche is lived by people of different cultures, languages, traditions, religions, social origins and intellectual capacities who wish to create strong ties and adhere to a body of shared values. Open to and engaged with the world, L'Arche communities seek to be a sign of hope, solidarity, faithfulness and reconciliation.
Bibliography
Books by Jean Vanier
- An Ark for the Poor: The Story of L'Arche - Jean Vanier
- Community and Growth - Jean Vanier
- Poor at the Heart of L'Arche - Jean Vanier
- The Broken Body: A Journey to Wholeness - Jean Vanier
- The Heart of L'Arche: A spirituality for everyday - Jean Vanier
- The Challenge of L'Arche - Jean Vanier
Books by other writers
- Adam: God's beloved - Henri Nouwen
- The Road to Daybreak - Henri Nouwen
- Jean Vanier and L'Arche: A Communion of Love - Kathryn Spink
- The Miracle the Message the Story: Jean Vanier and L'Arche - Kathryn Spink
- My Life Together: L'Arche Communities and the Challenge to Unity - Hilary Wilson
- Enough Room for Joy: The Early Days of L'Arche - Bill Clarke
- Living the Beatitudes - l'Arche Daybreak Community
- Encounter with Mystery: Reflections on L'Arche and Living with Disability - Frances Young
- Flowers from the Ark: True stories from the homes of L'Arche - Christella Buser
- A Prophetic Cry: Stories of spirituality and healing inspired by L'Arche - Tim Kearney
- A Blessed Weakness: The spirit of Jean Vanier and L'Arche - Michael Downey
- A Month Among the Vines: Daily devotions based on time shared with a L'Arche community in France - Andrew Proctor
If you'd like to submit an idea, book review, link or correction
please get in touch.
Locations
L'Arche is an international organisation with locations on five continents. Please follow the links below to find your nearest L'Arche community.
Links
L'Arche websites
- L'Arche International
- L'Arche Australia
- L'Arche Belgium
- L'Arche Canada
- L'Arche Daybreak, Canada
The L'Arche community made famous through the writings of Fr. Henri Nouwen - L'Arche France
- L'Arche Ireland
- L'Arche Southern Europe and the Middle East
- L'Arche UK
- L'Arche USA
- L'Arche around the world
Web page listing contact details for many of the individual L'Arche communities around the world.
Other websites
- Donate to L'Arche UK
Through the charity portal Justgiving.com - Volunteer for L'Arche UK
- L'Arche at Wikipedia
- Foi et Lumiè (Faith and Light) international
- Jean Vanier at Christian-voices.co.uk
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