Jean Vanier facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jean Vanier CC GOQ
Vanier in 2012
Born	(1928-09-10)September 10, 1928 Geneva, Switzerland
Died	May 7, 2019(2019-05-07) (aged 90) Paris, France
Nationality	Canadian
Organization	Catholic Church
Known for	Founder of L'Arche
Relatives	Georges Vanier, father Pauline Vanier, mother Thérèse Vanier, sister
Awards	Order of Canada, 1972 National Order of Quebec, 1992 Legion of Honour, 2003 Humanitarian Award, 2001 Pacem in Terris Award, 2013 Templeton Prize, 2015
Military career
Service/branch	Royal Canadian Navy
Years of service	1941–1950
Rank	Midshipman, naval officer

Jean Vanier (born September 10, 1928 – died May 7, 2019) was a Canadian Catholic philosopher and theologian. He is best known for creating L'Arche, a worldwide group of communities for people with developmental disabilities and those who support them. He started L'Arche in 1964, and it now has communities in 37 countries.

In 1971, he also helped start Faith and Light with Marie-Hélène Mathieu. This group supports people with developmental disabilities, their families, and friends in over 80 countries. Jean Vanier lived as a member of the first L'Arche community in Trosly-Breuil, France, until he passed away. He wrote over 30 books about religion, disability, and how people can live together. He received many important awards for his work, including the Order of Canada and the Templeton Prize.

Early Life and Education

Jean Vanier was born in Geneva, Switzerland. His parents were Canadian. His father, Georges Vanier, later became the 19th Governor General of Canada (from 1959 to 1967). His mother was Pauline Vanier. Jean was the fourth of five children.

He received a good education in both English and French. He studied in Canada, France, and England. During World War II, his family had to leave Paris because of the Nazi occupation. He spent much of the war training to be a naval officer at the Dartmouth Naval College in England.

In 1945, when he was visiting Paris, he and his mother helped survivors from Nazi concentration camps. Seeing these very thin and suffering people deeply affected him. He served in the Royal Navy and then the Royal Canadian Navy. In 1947, he traveled with the Royal Family on a tour of South Africa.

In 1950, he left the navy. Jean Vanier then went to Paris to study philosophy. He earned a PhD in philosophy from the Institut Catholique de Paris. His first book was based on his doctoral paper about Aristotle. He later taught philosophy at the University of St. Michael's College, University of Toronto. In 1964, he left his teaching job because he wanted to do more spiritual work.

Starting L'Arche Communities

In 1964, Jean Vanier learned about many people with developmental disabilities who were living in institutions. These places often kept people separated from society. Vanier decided to invite two men, Raphael Simi and Philippe Seux, to leave their institutions and live with him in Trosly-Breuil, France.

Living together, they formed the first L'Arche community. L'Arche is a place where people with disabilities live alongside those who support them. Since then, over 150 L'Arche communities have been created in 38 countries around the world. A main idea behind L'Arche is Vanier's belief that people with disabilities are not burdens. Instead, he believed they can be "teachers" who help others learn about love and acceptance.

Jean Vanier was in charge of L'Arche in Trosly-Breuil and the international L'Arche group until the late 1990s. After that, he spent more time helping and encouraging people who came to live in L'Arche as assistants.

Later Life and Impact

Vanier with John Smeltzer, a member of L'Arche Daybreak, 2009

Faith and Light emblem

In 1968, Jean Vanier started a series of retreats called Faith and Sharing. These retreats welcomed people from all walks of life. They continue today as part of the Faith and Sharing Federation.

In 1971, Vanier also co-founded Faith and Light with Marie-Hélène Mathieu. This is a global movement that creates groups for people with developmental disabilities, their families, and friends. Today, there are over 1,500 Faith and Light communities in 81 countries.

Vanier continued to live in the first L'Arche community in France until he died in 2019. He traveled a lot, visiting other L'Arche communities and giving talks. He often spoke about breaking down barriers between people. He believed we should try to "diminish walls" and meet each other, especially for people with intellectual disabilities.

In 2017, Vanier was featured in a documentary called Summer In The Forest. It showed life in the L'Arche communities. When he died on May 7, 2019, Pope Francis thanked him for his many years of service. Pope Francis said Vanier helped people understand "the mystery of those who are discarded by the world."

Jean Vanier influenced many people, including the famous Dutch priest and writer Henri Nouwen. Nouwen later joined the L'Arche Daybreak community in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Awards and Recognition

Jean Vanier received many awards for his important work. Some of these include:

• The Companion of the Order of Canada
• The Officer of the Legion of Honour from France
• The Community of Christ International Peace Award
• The Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award (2013)
• The Templeton Prize (2015), which recognized his work helping vulnerable people.

In 1999, he won the Gordon Montador Award for his book Becoming Human. In 2004, a Canadian poll ranked him as one of the greatest Canadians. In 2010, an asteroid was officially named Vanier in his honor. In 2016, he received the International Courage of Conscience Award for his commitment to including people with disabilities.

Schools Renamed

Many schools were once named after Jean Vanier. However, as of 2022, all of them have been renamed. This happened after a report was released about his past actions.

• École secondaire catholique l'Envolée du Nord in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, was renamed in April 2020.
• Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy in Richmond Hill, Ontario, was renamed in May 2020.
• St. Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School in Milton, Ontario, was renamed in June 2020.
• St. Joan of Arc Catholic Academy in Scarborough, Ontario, was renamed in July 2020.
• Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School in Collingwood, Ontario, was renamed in June 2020.
• St. Nicholas Catholic School in Sherwood Park, Alberta, was renamed in April 2020.
• St. Maria Faustina School in Regina, Saskatchewan, was renamed in June 2020.
• Madonna Della Libera Catholic Elementary School in Brantford, Ontario, was renamed in June 2020.
• École secondaire catholique Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf in Welland, Ontario, was renamed in July 2020.
• St. Rose of Lima Catholic Elementary School in London, Ontario, was renamed in September 2021.
• St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School in Whitehorse, Yukon, was renamed in June 2022.

Books by Jean Vanier

Images for kids

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  Vanier in 2012

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  Vanier with John Smeltzer, a member of L'Arche Daybreak, 2009

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  Faith and Light emblem

See also

In Spanish: Jean Vanier para niños