Faith and Light
The Province of the Northern Lights
An international Christian association for people with intellectual disabilities, their parents and friends.
The Province of the Northern Lights consists of Faith and Light groups in Denmark, Estonia, Norway and Sweden.
Jean Vanier
In 1950, he left the Royal Canadian Navy to study philosophy. After having obtained a doctorate in philosophy, he taught at Toronto University.
In 1964 he created l’Arche, welcoming two adults with intellectual disabilities in a small home at Trosly-Breuil in Oise, France.
In 1971 he founded Faith and Light with Marie-Hélène Mathieu
Marie-Hélène Mathieu
A special teacher, she created the Office Chrétien des Personnes Handicapées (O.C.H.) Christian Office for disabled people in 1963.
In 1968, she created the Ombres et Lumière magazine which she ran until the year 2000.
In 1971, she founded Faith and Light with Jean Vanier.
In 1979, she became international coordinator of the Faith and Light movement.ce.