About Jean Vanier
In 1971 he co‑founded Faith and Light with Marie‑Hélène Mathieu, an organization that supports people with developmental disabilities, their families, and friends in more than eighty countries. He lived in the original L’Arche community in Trosly‑Breuil, France, until his death.
Awards & Honors
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Templeton Prize
Pacem in Terris Award
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
Officer of the Legion of Honour
Commander of the Legion of Honour
Knight of the Legion of Honour
Order Ecce Homo
Show 3 more awards
Companion of the Order of Canada
Officer of the Order of Canada
Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec
![“[Happiness] comes when we choose to be who we are, to be ourselves, at this present moment in our lives.” quote by Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41b/jean-vanier-3367_happiness_happiness-comes-when-we-choose-to-be-who_1343161.png)
![“The people with the best sense of what is essential to a community, of what gives and maintains its spirit, are often doing very humble, manual tasks. It is often the poorest person - the one who has a handica[p, is] ill or old - who is the most prophetic. People who carry responsibility must be…” quote by Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08b/jean-vanier-3367_clarity_the-people-with-the-best-sense-of-what-i_303228.jpg)
