Top 10 most inspiring quotes by Jean Vanier
- I am struck by how sharing our weakness and difficulties is more nourishing to others than sharing our qualities and successes.
- Many people are good at talking about what they are doing, but in fact do little. Others do a lot but don’t talk about it; they are the ones who make a community live.
- We are not called by God to do extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.
- Community is a sign that love is possible in a materialistic world where people so often either ignore or fight each other. It is a sign that we don’t need a lot of money to be happy–in fact, the opposite.
- Love doesn’t mean doing extraordinary or heroic things. It means knowing how to do ordinary things with tenderness.
- To love someone is to show to them their beauty, their worth and their importance.
- If we are to grow in love, the prisons of our egoism must be unlocked. This implies suffering, constant effort and repeated choices.
- When we love and respect people, revealing to them their value, they can begin to come out from behind the walls that protect them.
- All of us have a secret desire to be seen as saints, heroes, martyrs. We are afraid to be children, to be ourselves.
- A Christian community should do as Jesus did: propose and not impose. Its attraction must lie in the radiance cast by the love of brothers.
Jean Vanier was a Canadian philosopher, theologian, and humanitarian who dedicated his life to promoting the rights and dignity of individuals with intellectual disabilities. He was born on September 10, 1928, in Geneva, Switzerland, to Canadian parents.
Vanier grew up in a privileged and intellectual family. His father, Georges Vanier, served as the Governor General of Canada, and his mother, Pauline Archer, was a social activist. Vanier pursued a career in the military and served in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy.
In 1964, Vanier made a life-changing decision to leave the navy and establish L’Arche, a community for individuals with developmental disabilities. He established the first L’Arche community in Trosly-Breuil, France, inviting two men with disabilities to live with him in a small house. The community aimed to create a supportive and inclusive environment where people with disabilities could live meaningful lives and develop their full potential.
The L’Arche movement grew rapidly, and Vanier’s vision expanded across the globe. L’Arche communities were established in various countries, providing a model for inclusive living and fostering relationships based on mutual respect and understanding. The movement’s core values revolved around recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual, embracing vulnerability, and building communities of love and belonging.
Vanier authored numerous books, including “Becoming Human,” “Community and Growth,” and “From Brokenness to Community.” He wrote about his experiences in L’Arche, his philosophy of compassion, and the importance of relationships and belonging. His writings have had a profound impact on people from diverse backgrounds and have inspired many to work towards a more compassionate and inclusive society.
Throughout his life, Vanier received numerous honors and awards for his exceptional contributions to society. These include the Templeton Prize, the French Legion of Honour, and the Companion of the Order of Canada.
Jean Vanier passed away on May 7, 2019, leaving behind a lasting legacy of compassion, inclusion, and the belief in the inherent worth of every human being. His work continues to inspire individuals and communities worldwide to create spaces of belonging and to advocate for the rights and dignity of people with disabilities.
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