Living L'Arche

Living L'Arche chronicles stories from caregivers in L'Arche homes for the disabled. L'Arche is an international federation of residences, founded by Jean Vanier, where disabled core members and their caregiver assistants live together in Christian community. The book is based on a two-year scientific study of L'Arche (funded by the John Fetzer Institute). The narratives of L'Arche caregiver assistants tell the story of compassionate love with commentary that is scientifically and theologically sensitive. This book characterizes a positive psychology of love that, in the remarkable environment of L'Arche, is animated by cherished spiritual commitments. In a world riddled with political and cultural anxiety, Living L'Arche offers an uplifting vision of compassionate love as transformational gift. The relationships between caregivers and the disabled in L'Arche reveal the beauty of compassionate love through encounter with poverty. The great secret of L'Arche suggests that we are all disabled but nonetheless worthy of unqualified respect and dignity. With recognition of brokenness comes the realization that we are made for relationships, places of safety where compassionate love allows us to fully know ourselves and God.