Chapter 14: Secular and the Sacred: Tracing Their Dimensionality and Tension

Jean Vanier is best known as the founder of the L’Arche, an international network of communities for people with intellectual disabilities. The vision for L’Arche was born while spending time with Father Thomas, the chaplain of the Val Fleuri in Trosly–Breuil. Father Thomas brought Vanier along to a small institution, the Val Fleuri, that welcomed about 30 men with intellectual disabilities. From this experience Vanier was awakened to his compassion for these men. Later he was prompted to return to France and begin a journey of compassion and friendship with two men with similar disabilities, whom he lived with and cared for. Today, there are 151 communities spread over five continents, with more than 5,000 members, known as L’Arche International Communities. When pressed for what motivates him, Vanier responded, “The point of inclusion is the belief that each of us is important, unique, sacred, in fact” (Vanier, 2008, p. 95). Vanier, is one example of how the reality of the sacred works as a motivator in the lives of Christians, directing their individual actions, their organizational actions, and ultimately creates a social force.