The Heart of L'Arche: A Spirituality for Every Day

Thoughtful and inspiring writing which makes caring for those with special needs seem like a privilege rather than a chore.

This is a profound read and will make you stop and think

Compassion as modelled by Jesus - a different way!

peaceful, wise, gentle, kind

before coming to L'Arche I couldn't imagine the consistence and strength of the relationship people with learning disabilities offer us, the ones close to them. I think the book explains how we got here at the same time the feeling of being close to God while respecting each one's beeliefs. Don't know how much justice my feeble words can do to this book. Meet someone with learning disability or even better arrange for a visit at a L'Arche foyer and experience this for yourself. Afterwards buy this book and understand why.

Just a quick note to say that this book captures something brilliant about God and the people he makes in his image. We believe that there is something important about helping people. That's true but we get it the wrong way around very often. It's not a division of 'helpers' and 'helped'. We, who believe we are strong, are the ones that need to get close to the 'weak' and realise that they have a lot to give and teach. Jean Vanier speaks with great wisdom that comes from spending almost a lifetime in the intimate company of people we tend to think of as weak and dependant. He has learned much and so can we.

It is always a great pleasure to read anything from Jean Vanier, his writings a full of Christ and love for humanity.

Magnificent story