Our Deepest Vocation
Our deepest vocation is that we are called into existence by God and will return to God. Our journey and the story of our life is sacred. We all share a common humanity. God's desire is always to be in relationship with us and that we recognize and claim our identity as children of God and members of the human family. It is usually as part of a faith community that we respond to this divine invitation.
The Vocation of L'Arche
At some point in this journey, we have also been called to L'Arche. God has called into existence each L'Arche community, with its unique and sacred history. The vocation of L'Arche is: "to reveal the particular gifts of people with a mental handicap who belong at the very heart of their communities and who call others to share their lives." (Charter of L'Arche)
The Vocation of People with a Mental Handicap
People with a mental handicap have very precious gifts to give, i.e. welcome, fidelity, forgiveness, trust, celebration, tenderness, creating home, along with their vulnerability and sometimes anguish and suffering. All of these can be sources of unity, reconciliation and peace. As people grow in security and confidence they are more able to recognize and claim their vocation to share these gifts with others and with the world.
The Vocation of Other Members
Other members, as they recognize the gifts of people with a mental handicap and claim the gift that God is offering in those relationships, are challenged to let their hearts be transformed. Fidelity to these relationships can call them to make significant vocational choices.
These choices enable people to live their lives in a fruitful way. Some will enter into a covenant of marriage. Others will live a single life. some of whom will consecrate their lives to God, either in a manner that is recognized by their church, or privately. Those who have already made vocational choices can be called to deepen and renew their commitments.
There is a deep richness and complementarity to be discovered among those who have made different vocational choices. Fidelity to the members with a mental handicap brings unity.
Our Common Vocation
Our common vocation in L'Arche is to enter into mutual relationships at a heart-to-heart level over time and to recognize these as a gift of God. This is the covenant. These relationships help us live in the truth of our lives and the truth of our world, and call us to fidelity. L'Arche is a way of life that can be lived as a vocation by all community members.