Jean Vanier, the founder of L’Arche communities, turned 90 this week. And on the occasion of the Sept. 10 milestone he decided to share a video message in English that proposes “ten rules of life to become more human.”
Vanier, son of one of Canada’s late governors general, set up his first L’Arche community in 1964 when he welcomed two mentally disabled men into his home in the town of Trosly-Breuil in France.
Today, L’Arche has grown into an international organization of 147 communities in 35 countries. Its aim is to create homes, programs and support networks with and for people who have developmental disabilities.
Recognized as one of the great spiritual figures of our time, Vanier has given hundreds of interviews throughout his life and has authored 30 books. But since suffering a heart attack in late 2017, he has mostly been keeping a low profile at the same home in France where he established his first community fifty-four years ago.
In this new and inspiring video message, Jean Vanier offers his “ten rules” by sharing his own human story in a very moving way.