Living L'Arche: Stories of Compassion, Love and Disability
Ebook
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.
Explores the origins and characteristics of compassionate love in those who care for the disabled.
Great interest in L'Arche community and its founder, Jean Vanier, widely regarded as a contemporary saint.
Impeccable scholarship, but written in immediately engaging style.
Sensitive and intelligent exploration of the subjects of disability and care
Prologue
Chapter 1: Downward Mobility
Chapter 2: Samaritan Religion
Chapter 3: The Transforming Moment
Chapter 4: Saints
Chapter 5: Out of Ashes
Chapter 6: Road to Guadalupe
Chapter 7: The Fragile Ark
Acknowledgments
"It is a delight to read. It combines ethnography and the stories of compassionate love in compelling and beautifully written narratives." Church Times, February 2010.
"Kevin Reimer is the first academic to be given access to L'Arche and his study is an important and ground-breaking look at people who have been pushed to the margins of society" 10 July 2009
- Title: Living L'Arche: Stories of Compassion, Love and Disability
- Author: Kevin S. Reimer
- Publisher: Continuum
- Print Publication Date: 2009
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781441110558, 9781847064356, 1847064353, 1441110550
- Resource ID: LLS:9781441110558
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-05-15T15:48:03Z