Little Sisters of the Lamb - Saint Pierre
The family house Saint-Pierre of the Community of the Lamb is located a few kilometers from Fanjeaux, a small village in Aude where Saint Dominic lived for about ten years, traveling the region and proclaiming the Gospel in mendicant poverty. It is a haven of peace where the little sisters live in calm and tranquility.
Retreats organized by the community
A brief history of the Community of the Lamb
Initiated in 1974 in Vézelay, born from the friendship of a few Dominican religious sisters and brothers and a Franciscan brother, and rooted in a return to the original specificity of the mendicant orders, the Community of the Lamb was officially founded in 1981.
Today it has 180 sisters and 40 brothers spread across eight European countries (France, Austria, Spain, Italy, Poland), and North and South America (United States, Argentina, Chile).
Their model: the vulnerable Lamb. Their vocation: to go toward others with empty hands, and proclaim God's love for the poorest and most destitute.
Following the apostles, the Little Sisters of the Lamb travel the roads and surroundings of the monastery on foot or by hitchhiking and meet the men and women of our time by knocking on doors of houses to ask for daily bread. Then the "sweet miracle of empty hands" (G. Bernanos) occurs: after doors open, hearts open too.
The Community of the Lamb at Saint-Pierre
The family house of the Community of the Lamb is located a few kilometers from Fanjeaux, a small village in Aude where Saint Dominic lived for about ten years, traveling the region and proclaiming the Gospel in mendicant poverty. He sang and prayed, radiating with charity and joy, announcing to all the good news of God's Love which he called: "My Mercy."
Following in the footsteps of the mendicant saints, the Little Sisters of the Lamb settled on this vast land, in the middle of the hills, on the site of an old farm. Over the years, with the help of neighbors and friends from the region, dwellings, chapels and roads came into being.
The large "Trinity Chapel" brings together the little brothers and little sisters each day for noon Mass. Scattered here and there on the grounds, several small monasteries house about a dozen little sisters in an atmosphere of silence, simplicity and joy.
On Sundays, all who wish are welcome to attend the 11 a.m. Mass followed by a shared meal.
What to expect during your stay
A time living at the rhythm of the mendicant little sisters
The sisters await you to share their daily life as mendicant little sisters, through the experience of a simple life based on encounter and sharing.
The small monastery welcomes young women for a weekend or for several days.
- During these retreat times, young women live at the heart of monastery life and are invited to participate in the various services of the little sisters' life: cooking, cleaning, ironing, carpentry, gardening, etc.
- Guests are invited to participate in their prayer life by attending liturgical offices and daily Mass, by tasting Bible study and by contemplating Jesus in the heart-to-heart of silent meditation.
- The little sisters are available for a time of fraternal listening.
- They also regularly organize (particularly during Advent, Lent, the Paschal Triduum and summer) themed retreats for young people (boys and girls) with teachings, sharing times, silence, service... and surprises!
- Twice a year, in June and November, five-day work retreats are organized to pray and help the little sisters maintain the grounds, clear brush, paint, cook or sew. All in a convivial and fraternal atmosphere.
A peaceful place in Aude
As Saint Dominic wished, the houses are small and low, simple and bright.
- The furniture is designed and built by the little sisters, all in wood.
- The sunrise and sunset over the hills will illuminate your eyes and hearts in this monastery where nature itself invites peace, reconciliation and healing of the heart.
The paths of Saint-Pierre allow beautiful walks in silence around the monastery that can lead you up to the heights to admire the Pyrenees mountain range in the distance. You may sometimes encounter hares, hedgehogs, deer and a multitude of birds.
- On the grounds several sanctuaries have been created: the Nativity grotto, the Virgin's Oratory with its spring of living water, the Garden of Olives, the chapel of greenery in the underbrush...
- Meals are taken with the little sisters who live in abandonment to Providence, even for food. You will thus discover how Providence watches over each of us!
Geography and activities
Saint-Pierre, a village in Aude
A few kilometers from the border with Ariège, the small monastery is located in the department of Aude:
- 1 hour from Toulouse (the pink city) by car,
- 40 minutes from Carcassonne,
In Languedoc, situated atop a hill, the city of Carcassonne is famous for its medieval citadel, with its numerous watchtowers and double walls, the first of which were built in Gallo-Roman times.
- 20 minutes from Castelnaudary and the Canal du Midi,
Come discover the cassoulet capital, Castelnaudary! By bike or on foot, you can admire the banks of the Canal du Midi.
- 15 minutes from Fanjeaux,
Come walk in the footsteps of Saint Dominic and discover Fanjeaux, a medieval village nestled atop a hill, offering a breathtaking view of the entire Lauragais plain and the Pyrenees mountain range. You will visit the Dominican convent and the altar on which Saint Dominic is said to have celebrated Mass. A little further down in the plain, the first Dominican convent at Prouilhe was founded in 1206 by Saint Dominic himself.
- 10 minutes from Mirepoix,
Don't forget to pass through the small town of Mirepoix, a little architectural jewel of Ariège, a medieval city with its magnificent half-timbered houses.
Practical information
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