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Who are we ?

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Founders

Marie-Hélène Mathieu

A special teacher, she created the Office Chrétien des Personnes Handicapées (O.C.H.) Christian Office for disabled people in 1963.
In 1968, she created the Ombres et Lumière magazine which she ran until the year 2000.
In 1971, she founded Faith and Light with Jean Vanier.
In 1979, she became international coordinator of the Faith and Light movement.
In 1984, she was nominated member of the Pontifical Council for laity.
In 1988, she was the first woman to give a Lent conference at Notre Dame de Paris.
She holds two French honors – Chevalier dans l’ordre national du mérite, and Commander of the Legion of Honour.
Honor by the Holy See, "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" cross.

Jean Vanier

Canadian, son of the Governor General of Canada.
In 1950, he left the Royal Canadian Navy to study
philosophy. After having obtained a doctorate in
philosophy, he taught at Toronto University.
In 1964 he created l’Arche welcoming two adults with
intellectual disabilities in a small home at
Trosly-Breuil in Oise, France.
Today, 115 communities belonging to l’Arche are
implanted in 30 countries stretching across 5 continents.
In 1971 he founded Faith and Light with
Marie-Hélène Mathieu.
In 1988 he was one of sixty laymen invited by the
Pope Jean-Paul II to participate in the Synod
on laymen in Rome.
In 1997, Pope Jean-Paul II awarded him the Paul VI prize.
Officer of the Legion of Honour.

Bibliography
Books of Jean Vanier and Marie-Hélène Mathieu (More...)

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