About us

Today the international association of Faith and Light brings together 1612 communities which are developing in 79 countries, across 50 "Provinces".

Overview...

An outstanding association around the person with an intellectual disability

Life in our communities

A Faith and Light Community, is a group of 15 to 40 persons (children, teenagers or adults with an intellectual disability, their family, friends) who meet together at least once per month for a gathering of friendship, sharing, prayer and celebration.

Faith and Light Prayer

 

Guidelines 2011-2012

Every year, new guidelines are proposed to the communities to nurture and lead the monthly meetings. Written by an international team, it encourages the unity of all the communities throughout the world which gather around a common theme. This year, we are all called to live as "messengers of joy".

Charter and Constitution

The structures of Faith and Light are like the sap that flows through a large tree to keep it alive, to help it to grow, flower and produce fruit. The Charter is like the heart of Faith and Light, its inspiration. The Constitution is like the trunk so that the sap may spread and give life... it explains the organization of movement.

Founders

Two founders, two witnesses to our world : Marie-Hélène Mathieu and Jean Vanier

History

Faith and Light was born of a desire to help people with an intellectual disability and their families find their place within the Church and society. This was the main purpose of the organized pilgrimage to Lourdes at Easter of 1971.

Why this emblem ?

Meb was a painter, he had an intellectual disability. He composed his work of art on the occasion of the first pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1971 after some one read him the Charter of the first Faith and Light pilgrimage.