Evron Abbey
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In Mayenne, between Le Mans and Laval, the Community of Saint Martin welcomes you to Evron Abbey, its formation house.
You can come here to experience a spiritual retreat, discern a priestly vocation, or study for your exams.
Retreats organized by the community
Evron Abbey: a millennial heritage between history and spirituality
Located in the heart of the town of Evron, in Mayenne, Notre-Dame Abbey was founded in the Carolingian period, around the tomb of Saint Hadouin, Bishop of Le Mans. It became an important Benedictine monastic center in the Middle Ages, benefiting from the protection of the Counts of Maine.
Transformed into a chapter of canons in the 11th century, the abbey experienced great spiritual and artistic influence, as evidenced by the abbey church blending Romanesque and Gothic art. After the French Revolution, the conventual buildings welcomed the Sisters of Charity of Evron.
Today, the site houses the mother house and the formation house of the Community of Saint Martin. The place is at once peaceful, vibrant, and inhabited, marked by liturgical beauty and prayer. The Notre-Dame de l'Epine Basilica, the parish church, preserves beautiful works of sacred art.
A typical day on Christian retreat at Evron
At the Formation House of the Community of Saint Martin, the day begins early, in silence, with personal prayer and lectio divina, before Lauds sung in Gregorian chant.
Each morning, the seminarians attend several courses in philosophy and theology, faithful to the magisterium and the tradition of the Church, with Saint Thomas Aquinas as their common master. The afternoon alternates between study, spiritual reading, sports, or community services. The daily Mass and Vespers gather the community at the end of the day, followed by dinner and fraternal time.
This structured life aims to form unified priests, rooted in prayer, intellectually solid, fraternal in community life, and prepared for pastoral service.
The year is punctuated by missions: camps, retreats, parish internships. The entire formation seeks to unite spiritual life, human formation, intellectual rigor, and pastoral heart.
What to expect during your stay
Your spiritual retreat at Evron Abbey
The guest house of the Community of Saint Martin offers different forms of retreats, open to men. It is possible to come alone at any time of the year for a time of prayer, silence, and discernment, or to participate in one of the three major preached retreats, oriented toward the question of priestly discernment, organized during Advent, Holy Week, and the Ascension long weekend.
Personalized spiritual guidance by a priest is offered to those who wish it.
The guests can also study for exams, with help from seminarians.
During their stay, they share the liturgical life of the seminarians and can participate in certain community activities: gardening, services, relaxation, sports. The seminary setting offers a climate conducive to interior reflection and encounter with God.
On-site amenities
The Evron Abbey welcomes only men, according to its availability. Our guest house is set apart, offering about twenty places for our guests in simple and comfortable rooms, bordering a lovely French-style garden, perfect for relaxation.
- The building includes an oratory dedicated to Saint Joseph, accessible to our guests at any time of day or night.
- The seminarians' library is accessible and allows for work in a studious environment.
- A gym is available.
- A common study room is accessible according to availability.
The city's sports fields offer the opportunity to practice activities together with the seminarians.
Finally, meals take place in a friendly atmosphere, fostering sharing and fraternity. They are taken with the seminarians, in the refectory, most often in silence.
Sheets are provided.
For all, the essential consists of:
- participating in the liturgical prayer of the formation house (required condition to stay at the guest house),
- helping the community with ordinary tasks after meals (dishes and table setting). Upon request, gardening work can be offered,
- praying personally, reading, taking walks
- if needed, you can ask the guest master seminarian to meet one of the priests for conversation.
Students are welcome to study for their exams in this conducive environment, supported by the work of the seminarians.
Geography and activities
Evron: a setting of serenity in the heart of Mayenne
Located in Mayenne, a verdant and authentic department, in the heart of the magnificent Pays de la Loire region, Evron Abbey reveals itself to be a true haven of peace, offering a serene setting conducive to prayer, deep meditation, and intellectual work.
Rooted in a small town, the abbey manages to combine the absolute tranquility of the surrounding countryside with the welcome proximity of all essential services.
Its strategic position makes it particularly accessible: it is conveniently reachable by train, with the Evron station only 10 minutes on foot from the abbey grounds. This rapid rail connection notably allows reaching Paris in less than two hours, making the abbey an ideal retreat location, far from urban tumult without being completely cut off from it.
By coming to Evron, visitors offer themselves not only a spiritual or studious stay, but also the opportunity to discover the treasures of Mayenne and its surroundings, thus enriching their experience with a cultural and natural dimension. The abbey's environment invites exploration, offering a blend of quietude and discoveries for those seeking to find full renewal.
Discovering the treasures of Mayenne around Evron Abbey
Around Evron Abbey, guests have the wonderful opportunity to immerse themselves in a rich array of activities and discoveries, promising to harmoniously complement their spiritual or studious stay.
The majestic Notre-Dame de l'Epine Basilica, an architectural jewel located right next to the abbey, invites a contemplative visit, allowing one to admire its history and beauty. Additionally, the proximity of the town shops of Evron ensures easy access to services and local products, adding a touch of convenience to the experience.
For those who favor adventure and nature, the surroundings abound with treasures accessible by car or bicycle.
- Just 20 minutes away by car, the Saulges caves reveal a natural site of breathtaking beauty, complemented by a fascinating museum that traces the geological and prehistoric history of the region.
- A bit further, Mont des Avaloirs, the highest point in the Pays de la Loire, offers a breathtaking panorama, an invitation to contemplate the vast landscapes of the region.
Enthusiasts of history and culture will also find their happiness less than an hour from the abbey.
- The city of Le Mans, with its remarkably preserved historic old center, offers a journey through time.
- Laval, labeled a city of art and history, captivates with its medieval castle and picturesque streets.
Finally, for nature lovers and hikers, the Coëvrons and the Normandie-Maine natural park unfold a network of trails perfect for revitalizing walks, inviting the discovery of charming authentic villages and ancient churches discreetly nestled in the greenery.
Each activity is an opportunity to extend the quietude of the abbey stay through an enriching exploration of the riches of Mayenne.
Practical information
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