Accueil Saint-Joseph
A stone's throw from Tours, Accueil Saint-Joseph offers you a peaceful haven in the heart of the Touraine countryside for studying for exams or taking a group retreat, in the department of Indre-et-Loire.
Calm, silence, contemplation, and conversations with the sisters are on the program!
Retreats organized by the community
Accueil Saint-Joseph in Rochecorbon, near Tours
The congregation of the Sisters of Mary Reconciler has resided in Rochecorbon, a small town near Tours, since 1931. Accueil Saint-Joseph is the Mother House of the community, that is, the place where the roots of the congregation and the general administration are located. The Superior General, Sister Marie Elisabeth, resides there in very close connection with all the other houses of the Institute, located in France and in Congo.
Six sisters share community life at Accueil Saint-Joseph and live there as a family. The sisters who are able, according to their age or health, carry out a task they are responsible for in the house, or an external mission: funeral team, middle school chaplaincy, parish catechesis, rosary groups, parish Mass leadership, or catechesis at the village school.
The Mother House is also a place of welcome: all the sisters of the Institute are happy to gather there. Despite their small number, they manage to create an intergenerational and multicultural living environment. Welcoming student guests and groups is also very important: young people, movements, sessions, cultural programs... All are welcome at Accueil Saint-Joseph!
The primary mission of the religious sisters remains prayer through the divine offices prayed in common and times of personal contemplation. The sisters are also entrusted with the mission of caring for families from working-class backgrounds, preferably reaching out to the most disadvantaged.
The Sisters of Mary Reconciler welcome you!
The congregation of the Sisters of Mary Reconciler is a Marian and apostolic Institute whose purpose is to strive, through the imitation of Christ and the Virgin Mary, for the perfection of love for God and neighbor. Their specific mission is proclaiming the Gospel to families from working-class backgrounds. Their other main activities are their apostolates with parishes and young people as well as their foundation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Marie Toublet (Mother Marie de la Croix), founder of the congregation, wanted to send her religious sisters first to the smallest and poorest, which is why they are committed to establishing themselves preferably in working-class areas. In this spirit, they joyfully accepted Bishop David's call by settling in Val de Reuil in the Diocese of Evreux in 1998.
Desiring to associate themselves intimately with Mary's mission as Mother of Christ and educator, the religious sisters give a special place to the formation of children and youth. The family is thus at the forefront of their apostolic concerns, which is why visiting families occupies a large place in their daily life. They also strive to be attentive to the needs of anyone who is suffering, alone, poor, sick, or elderly.
The Sisters live in a spirit of humility, simplicity, faith, tenderness, peace, and ardent charity.
What to expect during your stay
Taking a spiritual retreat at Accueil Saint-Joseph near Tours
Accueil Saint-Joseph offers a setting conducive to contemplation and renewal, promising a calm and contemplative retreat. In a pleasant atmosphere, Accueil Saint-Joseph invites you to come stay in the heart of the Touraine countryside.
It welcomes organized groups for training sessions, retreats, conferences, work sessions, language and cultural stays, and artistic programs (yoga, painting, music, etc.). There is also the possibility of renting the hall for family events.
Guests who come in groups are free to organize their stay themselves according to their wishes. The community's divine offices are open to retreatants who wish to attend: Lauds, Vespers, and Eucharist. If they express the wish, they can meet and talk with a sister.
Student guests who come to study participate in the life of the house, meaning they set the table, clean their dining room after meals, and clean their room before departure. They commit to respecting silence in all common areas of the house and in the study room (covered by wifi).
A large guest house for renewal at Accueil Saint-Joseph
Accueil Saint-Joseph is self-managed, meaning it is possible to prepare your own meals on site or have meals delivered for groups. Each group can live in an atmosphere of conviviality and sharing, independently.
The guest house has the following buildings:
- Accueil Saint-Joseph for groups: sleeping capacity of 12 individual rooms, including two double rooms. Sheets and towels are provided for an additional fee;
- Bethany House for students coming to study: sleeping capacity of 4 individual rooms and 1 double room
- Our Lady of Lourdes for students coming to study: sleeping capacity of 4 individual rooms
- An oratory is available to groups and a meeting room for 99 participants is available for rental
Praying, contemplating, meditating, meeting, taking walks: Accueil Saint-Joseph is an ideal place to clear your mind.
Geography and activities
Touraine and regional activities around Tours and the Loire Valley châteaux
Accueil Saint-Joseph is located in the town of Rochecorbon, 4 miles from Tours in the department of Indre-et-Loire (37).
It is therefore impossible not to make a detour through the capital of Touraine to discover Old Tours, the cathedral, and Saint-Martin Basilica, whose crypt houses the tomb of the said saint, famous for cutting his cloak in two to offer it to a poor person shivering with cold, in the 4th century!
The proximity to the Loire Valley châteaux provides the opportunity to discover the cultural riches of this region, not to mention the local gastronomic specialties. Rochecorbon is one of the eight wine-producing towns of the Vouvray appellation.
Around Accueil Saint-Joseph, recreational possibilities are numerous: Lulu Parc (with mini-golf), swimming pool, the Loire à Vélo cycling route, and hiking trails.
Practical information
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