BECOMING HUMAN

In these five lectures Vanier explains his vision for humanity, developed through his work in L'Arche, an international network of communities for the mentally disabled. Each account of an interaction with an individual from a community is touching. The lessons drawn from the humble and outcast are profound. They emphasize learning from weakness in the tradition of Christian mysticism and charity. Vanier's call to build a society integrating the weak and outcast is deeply democratic, and challenging. However, he focuses so completely on these ethical lessons that he does not explain either how the L'Arche communities succeed, or what this vision looks like in practical terms. G.T.B. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]