Hello and good day to all. As you know, each year the Pontifical Society presents the Propagation of Faith award to a Catholic individual who has, through word or action, promulgated Catholic values. On behalf of my parish, I am incredibly proud and overjoyed to announce that we firmly believe Jean Vanier is more than deserving of this award. From his dedication to L’Arche, to his philosophies and humanitarian work, it is evident that Jean Vanier proves to be a prime candidate for this award. However, before we give Mr. Vanier the praise he has earned, let’s take a look at who and what have helped shape him into the remarkable man he is today. Jean Vanier grew up in Geneva, Switzerland, but was educated in England and Canada, thus enabling him to become fluent in both English and French. Vanier served in the British Navy at the young age of 13, then later moving on to the Royal Canadian Navy. In 1950, Vanier resigned from the Navy and turned to a period of spiritual search to find deeper meaning in his life. During this time he dedicated himself to the Institut Catholique in Paris, earning a doctorate in philosophy.…show more content… Michael’s College, Vanier returned to France. Aggravated by the condition and treatment, or lack thereof, of people with developmental disabilities, he welcomed two men from an institution to live with him in the home he calls “L’Arche,” after Noah’s Ark in the French village of Trosly Breuil. The idea of L’Arche appealed to many, therefore marking the growth of a new community, L’Arche; a way of sharing life with those who would otherwise be shut away from society. Today, thanks to the brilliant, selfless Jean Vanier, there are one hundred and thirty L’Arche communities in thirty countries on six
