During the 1960s and 1970s, a period when people with intellectual disabilities still lived in large institutions apart from society, the activities and vision of Jean Vanier were revolutionary. With his simple commitment, concrete and true, he became known as an advocate for people living with intellectual disabilities. But he also sought out prisoners, youth, families in distress, and others marginalized by society. He notes, “Human beings in all cultures establish hierarchies. At the top, there are those who are successful, honoured, privileged, powerful ; at the bottom the good for nothings, the incompetent, the poor, the useless, the people with handicaps. This hierarchy can also be found between the sexes or between races, religions, nationalities and between people with different levels of physical or mental health, intelligence, capacities or education.”*

The message that Jean Vanier continues to share is anchored in his personal experience. This experience and his interpretation of it are founded on his faith, his trust in God, his desire to follow the call of Jesus. Though he is one of the great spiritual leaders of our time, Jean Vanier is also a humanist who, in his choices and words, does not hesitate to challenge the status quo.

With age and experience, his understanding of anthropology increased, and his conviction grew stronger: our common humanity connects us one to another. Two of his books particularly reflect this: his 1997 book Our Journey Home** and his 1999 Massey Lectures series edited into the book Becoming Human***.

*Jean VANIER, Our Journey home, Orbis Books, 1997, p.217

**Ibid

***Jean VANIER, Becoming Human, Paulist Press, 1999