Celebrating the Life and Work of Jean Vanier

Pope John Paul II called Jean Vanier “a great spokesman for the culture of solidarity and the civilization of love, in the fields of both thought and action”. Henri Nouwen observed that Jean Vanier “brings you in touch with a place inside yourself that few people have reached”. Vainier is not easily categorized. He is a spiritual leader who is not a priest. He is a philosopher and a Ph.D. who is not a professor. On the occasion of Jean Vanier’s 80th birthday and the publication of her new book “Jean Vanier Essential Writings”(2008), Dr. Whitney-Brown discusses Vanier’s understanding of human diversity, solidarity, social possibilities, culture and peace in the context of his life and choices.

Carolyn Whitney-Brown

Dr Carolyn Whitney-Brown and her family were part of the L’Arche Daybreak community in Richmond Hill from 1990 to 1997. Her most recent studies of Henri Nouwen appear in “Remembering Henri”(2006) and “Turning the Wheel”(2007). She is a contributor to the book “Northern Lights: An Anthology of Contemporary Christian Writing in Canada”(2008). Respected in both mainline and evangelical circles, she coordinated national projects for the Canadian Council of Churches, The evangelical Fellowship of Canada, and the United Church of Canada. For a decade she taught Continuing Education at St. Michael’s University before moving to Vancouver Island, where she writes and teaches distance education courses in religious studies department at St. Jerome’s University.

Date/Time: 
Friday, March 6, 2009 - 7:30pm
Location: 
Siegfried Hall, St. Jerome's University

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