This book describes the spirituality of L'Arche, an international movement founded by Jean Vanier in 1964 in France. The Heart of L'Arche was first published by Novalis in 1995 and has been in demand ever since. This updated edition was revised by Vanier himself, as he looks back on 47 years of the spirituality of L'Arche, at the age of 83. Readers will discover the spirit that keeps Vanier's dream alive and thriving in a world where people with disabilities are often ignored or seen as a burden on society. With simplicity and conviction, Jean Vanier shows how a life shared with people who have intellectual disabilities calls us to selflessness and risk. The vulnerability that is so much a part of their lives reveals our own limits and forces us to ask questions that can lead us to profound liberation.

In six meditative pieces Jean Vanier opens up God's invitation to us today to create new places of belonging and sharing, of peace and kindness. In Befriending the Stranger Jean Vanier reflects on who we are and how we build our communities, and in particular asks, can we be truly compassionate towards others if we are not compassionate towards ourselves? In a series of six meditative pieces, he opens up God's invitation to us today, in the midst of all the violence and corruption of the world, to create new places of belonging and sharing, of peace and kindness, where each one is loved and accepted with one's own fragility, abilities and disabilities.

Jean Vanier's Essential Writings gathers examples of the best of his insights, beliefs, and passionate calls for unity and peace in our world.

How are Christians to live in a violent and wounded world? Rather than contending for privilege by wielding power and authority, we can witness prophetically from a position of weakness. The church has much to learn from an often-overlooked community-those with disabilities. In this fascinating book, theologian Stanley Hauerwas collaborates with Jean Vanier, founder of the worldwide L'Arche communities. For many years, Hauerwas has reflected on the lives of people with disability, the political significance of community, and how the experience of disability addresses the weaknesses and failures of liberal society. And L'Arche provides a unique model of inclusive community that is underpinned by a deep spirituality and theology. Together, Vanier and Hauerwas carefully explore the contours of a countercultural community that embodies a different way of being and witnesses to a new order-one marked by radical forms of gentleness, peacemaking, and faithfulness. The authors' explorations shed light on what it means to be human and how we are to live. The robust voice of Hauerwas and the gentle words of Vanier offer a synergy of ideas that, if listened to carefully, will lead the church to a fresh practicing of peace, love and friendship. This invigorating conversation is for everyday Christians who desire to live faithfully in a world that is violent and broken. This expanded edition now includes a study guide for individual reflection or group discussion.

Acclaimed as a man "who inspires the world," (Maclean's) and a "nation builder" (Globe and Mail), Jean Vanier has made a difference in the lives of countless people. In this provocative book, Vanier shares his profoundly human vision for creating a common good that radically changes our communities, our relationships, and ourselves. He proposes that by opening ourselves to outsiders, those we perceive as weak, different, or inferior, we can achieve true personal and societal freedom. Becoming Human is not only a book of extraordinary ideas, but a revolutionary call to action. The 10th anniversary edition includea a new Introduction by the author.

Jean Vanier examines the roots of brokenness withing the Jewish and Christian traditions and the meaning of the Good News of Jesus for our twentieth-century world.

Mental Health: The Inclusive Church Resource is written to help your own church to be equipped to welcome all people who live with mental health issues. It contains first-hand personal experiences of people who have felt excluded from churches because of their mental health, a Theology of Mental Health by Jean Vanier and John Swinton and a resource section containing addresses, websites and practical advice. Other books in the Inclusive Church Resource series include Disability and forthcoming titles on Poverty, Sexuality, Gender and Ethnicity.

If you've ever thought about community, whether as a lifestyle or simply as an expression of deeper fellowship with others, this book is essential reading. In the fifteen years since it first appeared in English, it has become "the" classic text on the subject -- read, dog-eared, borrowed, and discussed.

Vanier is not a rosy idealist. That is because his writing is based not on theories, but on a wealth of wisdom gleaned over many years living in community, experiencing difficult days and joyous celebrations, times of struggle and hard-won success, moments of doubt and inspiration. He acknowledges the inevitable little frustrations of a life lived with and for others, but he also helps the reader see that without struggle there is no true growth.

Patrick of Ireland lived a Christian life beyond the ordinary - that's why we call him a saint. But Jamie Arpin-Ricci contends that, although St. Patrick may have been extraordinary, the sort of life he lived is available to everyone - if we only desire and accept it. This book is Arpin-Ricci's exploration of what that sort of radical way of living might look like. Drawing from Scripture, church history and his own ministry experiences among those who live on the margins, Vulnerable Faith bridges the often enormous gap between the conceptual ideal of faithfulness we talk about in church and a genuine, practical, radical obedience to Jesus. The urgency of the invitation to each of us in 'Vulnerable Faith' cannot be ignored. In a world of terror and hatred, of protection and retaliation, it is a bold and important reminder to Christians of the radical nature of our witness as followers of Jesus. He is the Word made flesh, the vulnerable incarnation of God's love for each and every one of us. -Jean Vanier, from the foreword "This book is an invitation to radical faithfulness found in willing vulnerability. Jamie Arpin- Ricci guides readers through a process of transformation, which exposes our pretense and promises new life through and beyond the cross of Christ." -Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, author of Dead Man Walking "If you are intrigued by the life of early Celtic leader St. Patrick, and if you see a need for transformation in your own life, Vulnerable Faith is your invitation to take some time to explore what greater faithfulness in the people of God might look like. Jamie juxtaposes the life of St. Patrick with lessons learned from AA's Twelve Steps in a way that is refreshing and challenging. This is not for the faint-hearted but for those who want to take steps deeper into the love of God. I loved it, was inspired by it and recommend it to all who take their faith seriously." -Christine Sine, author of Return to Our Senses "In Vulnerable Faith the life of St. Patrick meets the spirituality of the Twelve Steps. It is a surprising, potent and challenging combination, one that Jamie Arpin-Ricci uses to profound effect in setting before us a vision of Christian community characterized by loving vulnerability, sacrificial generosity and a radical welcome of the stranger into the Shalom of God's Kingdom. An inspiring and life-changing book." -Richard Beck, author "Unclean" & "Slavery of Death"

In his book Tim Huff has stitched together stories of a radical life of presence and friendship among children, youth and adults facing profound emotional, social, mental, developmental, physical and spiritual challenges. His journey of full-time service, learning, and advocacy for poor, oppressed, misunderstood and marginalized people across Canada, and around the world are powerfully captured in this latest work.

Jean Vanier celebrates the gospel of John in his highly anticipated latest work, DRAWN INTO THE MYSTERY OF JESUS THROUGHOUT THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. Thoroughly personal and inspiring, DRAWN INTO THE MYSTERY challenges all Christians to encounter the fullness of life lived in close communion with God. Vanier writes: "These insights that I share in this book come from the life of Jesus in me....They also flow from my life with people who are weak and who have taught me to welcome Jesus from the place of the poverty in me." Jean Vanier was a friend and influential mentor to the late Henri Nouwen. Toward the end of his life, Nouwen left Harvard to live and work at one of Jean Vanier's L'Arche communities. This was perhaps the most profound experience of Christianity Nouwen experienced. The thought and spiritual direction/discipleship of Jean Vanier is available to all in DRAWN INTO THE MYSTERY OF JESUS THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.

This little book, presenting a selection of extracts from Jean Vanier’s bestselling book Community and Growth alongside illustrations by artist Seán O'Brien, gives invaluable advice on the challenges of living in community.