What do you think?
Rate this book
From Brokenness to Community (Harold M. Wit Lectures)
The lectures in this volume witness the importance of the meeting between the university of the learned and the university of the poor. From them a deep understanding of true discipleship emerges. †
56 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
60 people are currently reading
689 people want to read
About the author
Jean Vanier
219 books166 followersJean Vanier was educated in England and Canada, entered the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, England in 1942. He went to sea in 1945 in the Royal Navy and in 1947 transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy. He resigned from the Royal Canadian Navy in 1950 while serving H.M.C.S. Magnificent. He then went to France to work in a students' community outside of Paris. He studied philosophy and theology and obtained a Doctorate from the Catholic Institute in Paris.
At various times in his life, Vanier has been a(n)
author-
traveler-
founder-
humanitarian-
peacemaker-
At various times in his life, Vanier has been a(n)
author-
traveler-
founder-
humanitarian-
peacemaker-
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 6, 2024
DISCLAIMER: wrote the following review before I was aware of the author’s deplorable abuses. Nonetheless, God does use crooked sticks to draw straight lines.
——
A series of lectures delivered at Harvard by a Christian man who spends his life establishing faithfully committed communities that are deliberately inclusive of those with severe disabilities. A profound read!
I had a lot of favorite parts, but three in particular stand out to me, partly because they are so aligned with my own experience (and my own mistakes):
FIRST:
“I asked one of the bishops if he wanted to hold Armando in his arms. I watched the two of them together as Armando settled into his arms and started to quiver and smile, his little eyes shining… I could see that Armando in all his littleness, but with all the power of love in his heart, was touching the heart of that bishop…
Many people know they have a head because they have learned that two and two are four. They know they have hands because they can cook eggs and do other things. Many know they have sexuality because they have strong emotions. But what they do not always know is that they have a well deep inside of them. If that well is tapped, springs of life and of tenderness flow forth. It has to be revealed to each person that these waters are there and that they can rise up from each one of us and flow over people, giving them life and a new hope.
That is the power of Armando.”
SECOND:
“At this point I need to say a word about the difference between issues, causes, and mission. Today there are many groups of people… There is a danger, in issue-oriented groups not based on community, that the enemy is seen as being the one outside of the group. The world gets divided between “the good” and “the bad.” We are among the good; the others are the bad. In issue-oriented groups, the enemy is always outside. We must struggle against all those who are outside of our group.
True community is different because of the realization that the evil is inside - not just inside the community but inside me
THIRD (the author quoting Bonhoeffer):
“The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.”
——
A series of lectures delivered at Harvard by a Christian man who spends his life establishing faithfully committed communities that are deliberately inclusive of those with severe disabilities. A profound read!
I had a lot of favorite parts, but three in particular stand out to me, partly because they are so aligned with my own experience (and my own mistakes):
FIRST:
“I asked one of the bishops if he wanted to hold Armando in his arms. I watched the two of them together as Armando settled into his arms and started to quiver and smile, his little eyes shining… I could see that Armando in all his littleness, but with all the power of love in his heart, was touching the heart of that bishop…
Many people know they have a head because they have learned that two and two are four. They know they have hands because they can cook eggs and do other things. Many know they have sexuality because they have strong emotions. But what they do not always know is that they have a well deep inside of them. If that well is tapped, springs of life and of tenderness flow forth. It has to be revealed to each person that these waters are there and that they can rise up from each one of us and flow over people, giving them life and a new hope.
That is the power of Armando.”
SECOND:
“At this point I need to say a word about the difference between issues, causes, and mission. Today there are many groups of people… There is a danger, in issue-oriented groups not based on community, that the enemy is seen as being the one outside of the group. The world gets divided between “the good” and “the bad.” We are among the good; the others are the bad. In issue-oriented groups, the enemy is always outside. We must struggle against all those who are outside of our group.
True community is different because of the realization that the evil is inside - not just inside the community but inside me
THIRD (the author quoting Bonhoeffer):
“The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.”
October 20, 2017
Vanier reminds me a lot of Nouwen, in that you should read with discernment as there are some theological missteps. However, this is a beautiful little book about community as a whole and the L'Arche community which Vanier founded.
October 3, 2024
I used to live near a L'Arche community and I was reminded of it when I read this beautiful book. But, knowing what we now know, it is impossible also not to feel sad.
October 6, 2017
When I received this book in the mail, having neglected to check the page count before I ordered it, I couldn't help but laugh at how tiny it was. A mere 52 pages, it really is a bit comical to hold it in your hands, and yet it still managed to pack a punch between its covers. I found myself underlining quite a bit of this and much of what he said resonated a lot with me. I wouldn't necessarily say that any of it was mindblowing or even felt very new (especially after reading his larger work, Community And Growth, and lots of Henri J.M. Nouwen), but it bore repeating.
One thing I found interesting, especially after reading a lot of liberation theology, is my discomfort with his use of the beatitudes and the notion of poverty. There is no doubt that people with severe mental and physical disabilities are to be counted among the oppressed of the world and in most cases are indeed poor, and I don't even disagree with his invitation for all to become spiritually poor to experience the Kingdom of God. However, it seemed as though his words could be used to obfuscate God's identification with the materially poor uniquely (beyond the more abstract spiritually poor) and the socio-political and economic implications that that has. Towards the end of the book, he sort of chastises "clubs" against racism, nuclear war, etc. as missing the point and failing to see the enemy within their own self. While I think that could potentially be really true and convicting, I was disappointed in his failure to recognize that now all antagonism is created equal (that of the oppressor towards the oppressed and vice versa) and without the outward action and advocacy of these "clubs" there would likely be very little actual change...something he himself doesn't necessarily need as a white man. With that said, if you can sort of excuse that element of the work, I do think the invitation into spiritual poverty is a really true and beautiful notion, and the book is still packed with helpful wisdom and insight on community living despite its size.
One thing I found interesting, especially after reading a lot of liberation theology, is my discomfort with his use of the beatitudes and the notion of poverty. There is no doubt that people with severe mental and physical disabilities are to be counted among the oppressed of the world and in most cases are indeed poor, and I don't even disagree with his invitation for all to become spiritually poor to experience the Kingdom of God. However, it seemed as though his words could be used to obfuscate God's identification with the materially poor uniquely (beyond the more abstract spiritually poor) and the socio-political and economic implications that that has. Towards the end of the book, he sort of chastises "clubs" against racism, nuclear war, etc. as missing the point and failing to see the enemy within their own self. While I think that could potentially be really true and convicting, I was disappointed in his failure to recognize that now all antagonism is created equal (that of the oppressor towards the oppressed and vice versa) and without the outward action and advocacy of these "clubs" there would likely be very little actual change...something he himself doesn't necessarily need as a white man. With that said, if you can sort of excuse that element of the work, I do think the invitation into spiritual poverty is a really true and beautiful notion, and the book is still packed with helpful wisdom and insight on community living despite its size.
April 4, 2013
Probably my favorite book of all time.
Jean Vanier is the founder of the L'Arche Communities, an international federation of group homes for people with developmental disabilities and those who assist them. "Brokenness to Community" documents two lectures given at Harvard Divinity School in 1988.
In many ways, the title of this book reflects the simple, yet extremely profound message of this volume, and of Vanier's amazingly inspiring life: we all live in relationship, in community. It is in recognizing that connection, in taking upon ourselves the opportunities and responsibilities of living our lives in that web, that the heart of spirituality is found. It is, in short, in the midst of relationship -- creative relationship with ourselves, with others, and with the world at large -- that we find God.
Jean Vanier is the founder of the L'Arche Communities, an international federation of group homes for people with developmental disabilities and those who assist them. "Brokenness to Community" documents two lectures given at Harvard Divinity School in 1988.
In many ways, the title of this book reflects the simple, yet extremely profound message of this volume, and of Vanier's amazingly inspiring life: we all live in relationship, in community. It is in recognizing that connection, in taking upon ourselves the opportunities and responsibilities of living our lives in that web, that the heart of spirituality is found. It is, in short, in the midst of relationship -- creative relationship with ourselves, with others, and with the world at large -- that we find God.
March 18, 2023
Jean Vanier not only engages your mind but also changes your heart. In this book you will discover what true Community is. That as we take up the gift to be with and walk with the poor we begin to be transformed and to experience the gospel. Where we learn that we are poor people and that we don't need to climb the ladder to experience the beauty and love of God but rather it is when we climb down that we discover in our brokenness we our God's beloved sons and daughters.
Let us seek after the poor for that is who Jesus is, for once we realize that community is a place of both belonging and becoming we learn to become one. We learn to lay down our ego and disarm our need of competition and rivalry. We learn to instead join the family of trust and reconciliation, so that our dreams may become reality. We begin to celebrate in thanksgiving, to call out mediocracy, and to be on a mission to give to, to heal, and to liberate others. In doing this things we will be seized by Christ and become resurrection people and experience that in our weakness God is doing the impossible, changing death to life and transforming brokenness into wholeness.
Let us seek after the poor for that is who Jesus is, for once we realize that community is a place of both belonging and becoming we learn to become one. We learn to lay down our ego and disarm our need of competition and rivalry. We learn to instead join the family of trust and reconciliation, so that our dreams may become reality. We begin to celebrate in thanksgiving, to call out mediocracy, and to be on a mission to give to, to heal, and to liberate others. In doing this things we will be seized by Christ and become resurrection people and experience that in our weakness God is doing the impossible, changing death to life and transforming brokenness into wholeness.
February 3, 2019
The first lecture is a beautiful testimony of the unity of human beings in our need for acceptance and love. He uses wonderful testimony from his L'Arche community. The second half is a brilliant lecture on community - our need for it and it's ability to become "a place of mediocrity" or true growth.
I would recommend this book for anyone who works with people, especially in the development of people (i.e. teachers, those who work with people with disabilities, and those trying to develop community).
I would recommend this book for anyone who works with people, especially in the development of people (i.e. teachers, those who work with people with disabilities, and those trying to develop community).
October 2, 2019
This is two lectures given at Harvard Divinity School. In the first, as someone who was called to community with the mentally disabled, he talks about what he found those with whom he was called had to teach him. In the second, he speaks more broadly about community - its difficulty, its challenges to us, and its redeeming and resurrecting power. All of this is in the context of Christ's call to us. These lectures are very powerful, and I highly recommend them.
December 28, 2021
Such an impactful read. Short and powerful. Vanier shares his own story, and the insights that have been revealed along the way. I was captured by the thought that the brokenness we see in others is often so unwanted because of how it reminds us of our own brokenness. That to experience the Good News it can really only be done through an impoverished spirit, one ready to receive Christ’s gift. Would definitely recommend.
September 28, 2020
A short read (about an hour), this book is a transcript of 2 lectures Vanier gave at Harvard. Vanier is the founder of L'Arche Community. This short book gets right to the heart of community - what it is, and how to live in community. A challenging book that I should re-read periodically to remind myself of the importance.
August 20, 2021
I read this for the first time in the summer of 2017. This was my first time rereading it since and while it was good, it wasn't quite as groundbreaking as I remember it being at the time. But I guess that speaks more to how I've developed and grown spiritually since then and is a good sign! Lovely little book.
March 10, 2023
“Community is a place of pain, because it is a place of loss, a place of conflict, and a place of death. But it is also a place of resurrection” (30).
A simple reflection on community as spiritual practice. Perhaps a bit underdeveloped, but otherwise a good reminder that all we really have in this life is one another.
A simple reflection on community as spiritual practice. Perhaps a bit underdeveloped, but otherwise a good reminder that all we really have in this life is one another.
August 10, 2018
Great book on biblical community
Loved his insight on the mentally ill participating in community. Simple and profound.would serve as a great introductory book on biblical community.
Loved his insight on the mentally ill participating in community. Simple and profound.would serve as a great introductory book on biblical community.
June 1, 2021
This is another book off of the Gibson list. It is a couple of short talks that Vanier gives regarding his community. While it was good, I feel that some of Nouwen's work give more details and information.
February 10, 2020
“Go poorly and do the impossible.”
April 13, 2020
Infinitely re-readable.
September 21, 2020
Yeah, please just go read it. And then pray with it. And then repeat.
February 1, 2022
This short little book is so incredibly beautiful and inspiring. It’s one I will for sure be reading again every few years!
November 27, 2014
Urgent, passionate call to seek the strength to pursue community. Vanier is the founder of L'Arche, a network of communities centered around care for and forming community with developmentally disabled adults. These lectures, delivered at Harvard, are a concise introduction to the importance and transformative potential in turning away from the elevation of self and instead sacrificially devoting oneself to others.
Vanier was a mentor and inspiration to the Christian thinker Henri Nouwen, too. Nouwen eventually entered a L'Arche community.
This is profound stuff, deeply antithetical to the priorities espoused by America and by Capital. It is thus, also, deeply important.
Can any of us doubt the brokenness all around us right now? It's blaring from the TV and the computer screen each moment of every day. How can we begin to truly build community? There's much to consider here.
Vanier was a mentor and inspiration to the Christian thinker Henri Nouwen, too. Nouwen eventually entered a L'Arche community.
This is profound stuff, deeply antithetical to the priorities espoused by America and by Capital. It is thus, also, deeply important.
Can any of us doubt the brokenness all around us right now? It's blaring from the TV and the computer screen each moment of every day. How can we begin to truly build community? There's much to consider here.
August 10, 2010
i think radical communities could learn a lot from this book. there's an extension grace within l'arche communities that does not occur in collective settings, at least the one experienced myself in cali. each house is uniquely differently, but overall, i thought the radical community that i experienced still had a lot of individualistic drives that broke down solidarity and truly accepting difference in each other.
April 20, 2013
"Our world is a world of competition. We have all been taught to live in a competitive world and to win, to be a success, and to move up the ladder of promotion and to get ahead. It is hard then in community to stand back in order to help others grow and exercise their gifts. There is then in community a loss of aggressive competition cultivated in our societies." I'm reminded of Psalm 46 - "Cease striving and know that I am God." This is a great little book.
May 24, 2016
Vanier has a deep soul that imagines and lives out the world as God would intend it to be. his writing can be a bit stream of consciousness, but there is a soulfulness that I find moving and inspiring. This last section on community as mission struck me today. Reminded me that the church does not exist only for itself but to be sent out for others.
October 26, 2007
Taken from some of Jean Vanier's lectures, this is a short and captivating book about how we're able to grow in the context of community. I especially liked his idea of "the university of the poor" versus "the university of the learned," and how these can impact one another.
June 3, 2008
Thanks to Weezel, I have a new book to address my Jones for community. Very short in length, but profoundly stirring. Clocks in as the last member of my trinity of books forming a contemporary constitution for Christian communities.
May 6, 2009
This book is the written version of Vanier's lecture at Harvard, in which he challenged his hearers to move away from the self-serving, self-seeking, self-promoting individualism that is so normal to us that it takes reading a book like this to show how unlike Jesus we really are.
January 5, 2015
Jean Vanier is a remarkable person. This book gets more into detail about who he is and why he does what he does more than the other things I've read by and about him. Very short, but worth it. I will read it again soon.
March 3, 2014
I read this book through at one sitting and although I paid attention, as I read I felt as if I was a small, smooth stone skipping across the surface of very deep waters. I will need to read this provocative book again and again.
August 25, 2015
Very Nouwen-esque. Repetitive after a while. Jean Vanier does well to show us we are broken as well. He makes the point that while we need to "belong," this must eventually provide a space for us to "become."
August 3, 2016
A short gem of a book that addresses the way community, love and belonging heals brokenness - in body, mind and spirit. God does the impossible, changing death into life inside of us and through our relationship in community
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews