Marie Hélène Mathieu

Marie-Hélène Mathieu was born on July 4, 1929 in Tournus, France. A specialized educator and student of Father Henri Bissonier, she founded the Office Chrétien des Personnes Handicappées (1963), then Ombres et Lumière, a Christian magazine for people with disabilities, their families and their friends. She created, in 1968, together with Jean Vanier the Faith and Light movement. Member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity from 1984 to 1989, she was the first woman to deliver a Lenten Conference at Notre-Dame in Paris (1988), and is a Knight of the Legion of Honor. Author, among other works, of God Loves Me As I Am (Effatà, Cantalupa 2002), Never Alone, The Adventure of Faith and Light (Jacabook, 2012).