Jean Vanier, Founder of the L'Arche Communities, Dies

Jean Vanier, founder of the L'Arche communities

Photo courtesy: och.fr/

Jean Vanier, a Canadian Catholic philosopher, theologian, and humanitarian-cum-philanthropist, died yesterday, May 7, in Paris, of the thyroid cancer at the ripe age of 90. He was the most ardent advocate for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. He was also the founder of the L'Arche (the ark) communities, where these disabled people live and work in dignity, respect, and love.

Physically a giant of a man with a 6-foot-and-4-inch frame, his heart was full of sympathy, empathy, and love for these disadvantaged people. As a result, he expanded his work of service to these people in 37 countries of the world in different continents.

According to the Globe and Mail newspaper, he wrote 30 books, received numerous awards and honours, was named a Companion of the Order of Canada by the Canadian government, was given the Legion of Honour award in France, and the Templeton Prize in England.

For more on him and his work, please read the following:

• L'Arche founder Jean Vanier dies at 90 (May 7, 2019)
• Jean Vanier, Canadian champion of the developmentally disabled, dead at 90 (May 7, 2019)
• Jean Vanier, Canadian crusader for developmentally disabled, dies (May 7, 2019)
• L'Arche founder Jean Vanier established the unique value of an intellectually disabled life (May 7, 2019)
• Jean Vanier: Founder of L'Arche dies aged 90 (May 7, 2019)
• Jean Vanier (Official Website)
• L'Arche International
• Jean Vanier (Wikipedia)
• The Spirit of Love and Service (An article, by Jean Vanier, published in the September 1997 issue of the monthly 'Liguorian' magazine, U.S.A.)
• A unique quotation of Jean Vanier on loving people
• Quotations of Jean Vanier
• Photos of Jean Vanier
• Videos on Jean Vanier

The Photo Meditation of the Month (November, 2010): BEING OF SERVICE TO OTHERS

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Bark of a birch tree in a family garden in Toronto
Photo (Toronto) © Jerome D'Costa

Bark of a maple tree at the campus of
St. Jerome's University at Waterloo, Ontario
 Photo (Waterloo, Ontario: June 19, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

Being of Service to Others

The bark of each type of tree is different -- in shape, colour and natural design.

Scratching of the bark is a kind of art. Romantic people scratch barks to leave their messages and love symbols of a heart pierced with an arrow. "John was here" or "Shawn loves Jennifer" are such examples.We can call it "the bark language."

Barks are used for various purposes. Almost all over the world, different barks are used for their medicinal properties. North American Indians used to make light canoes with birch tree barks to travel in rivers and waterways. In Europe, making corks of bottles from a special kind of bark was a big industry. Rubber trees give out a whitish juice when their barks are cut in a certain way and the collected juice is turned into rubber after some processing. Tasty maple syrup is also extracted similarly from Maple trees. Certain animals eat selected types of barks for their nutrition and healing. Cinnamon, a spicy bark, is a common spice used widely in the Middle Eastern and the Indian subcontinental cooking.

Barks are so simple but useful to others. We need to thank God for providing such wonderful items for use by his other creations. As the barks are there to serve others, so are the mankind -- the best of God's creations. We also need to be environment-friendly and not exploitative and inimical to trees and other flora. This mutual respect and love will make this world more livable for our generations to come.