Louis and Zélie of Alençon Sanctuary
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In the Norman town of Alençon, about an hour's drive from Lisieux, lies the birthplace of Little Thérèse. In 2015, when her parents Louis and Zélie Martin were canonized, the Diocese of Séez established a sanctuary in the very places where they lived.
The sanctuary welcomes all pilgrims for a spiritually renewing experience in Alençon!
Retreats organized by the community
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The brief history of Alençon Sanctuary
Alençon Sanctuary is a recent sanctuary established in 2015 following the canonization of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, the first married couple in the Church to be canonized together.
At the heart of the Sanctuary stands the Martin Family Home, also known as the Birthplace of Saint Thérèse. The town of Alençon is dotted with places that marked the Martins' life: Notre-Dame Basilica where Louis and Zélie were married and where Thérèse was baptized, the Sarthe Bridge, called the "Meeting Bridge," where the Martin couple first met, as well as Montsort Church, the family's first parish, and Louis Martin's watchmaker's shop.
All these places together form the Sanctuary, which is above all a sanctuary for couples and families. Its mission is to make accessible the example of sanctity of Louis and Zélie Martin, and the Martin family more broadly. Their witness demonstrates the possibility of leading an ordinary married and family life in holiness, without dying as a martyr or receiving exceptional charisms. It is enough to put God first in one's life, to carry out the small tasks of daily life with love and patience.
Their life is both remarkably intense and ordinary, far from certain idealized images. They experienced both great joys and significant trials: the loss of four children, difficult upbringing of Léonie (Thérèse's sister), mental illness, cancer, and work concerns. Everyone can recognize themselves in one of these aspects of their life, which makes this 19th-century family an eminently contemporary family. At the sanctuary, everyone is welcomed for who they are, whatever their family history and personal wounds.
The Sanctuary community: a whole little world awaiting you in Alençon
The Louis and Zélie of Alençon Sanctuary community brings together staff, religious communities, and numerous volunteers who daily dedicate themselves to serving pilgrims to help them discover a human-scale sanctuary, places where an apparently ordinary couple sanctified themselves in their everyday life.
The five Carmelite sisters, Messengers of the Holy Spirit, are present daily in Alençon. In the Saint Thérèse Chapel, attached to the house, Mass is celebrated almost daily. Every Thursday, the sisters also offer a time of adoration. Prayer vigils of compassion for pilgrims' intentions are organized at the beginning of each month.
The men's branch of the Carmelites Messengers of the Holy Spirit is also present at the Sanctuary to accompany pilgrims, celebrate Mass, offer the sacrament of reconciliation, and pray for pilgrims' intentions.
What to expect during your stay
The spiritual retreat awaiting you at the Sanctuary
The Sanctuary welcomes anyone wishing to experience a time of retreat: individual pilgrims, couples, families, Teams of Our Lady, etc.
Several spiritual activities can be offered depending on the "type" of pilgrim you are. As an individual, a couple, or a family, you can:
- Without reservation, visit the Martin House;
- Participate in the Sanctuary's various liturgical offices;
- Follow in the Martin family's footsteps in Alençon with a pilgrim booklet that allows you to complete the route completely independently.
As a couple, you can celebrate your wedding anniversary, renew your marriage vows, or receive the blessing with the relics of the holy spouses Martin.
Each year, the Sanctuary also offers various events:
- For couples: weekends dedicated to Teams of Our Lady, Valentine's Day pilgrimages, weekends for engaged couples, Cenacle weekends.
- For families: family celebration, vacation for single mothers with their children.
- For everyone: spiritual retreats, sessions for singles, Feast of Saints Louis and Zélie, Shower of Roses day, etc.
Alençon Sanctuary guest house
Located at the foot of Notre-Dame Basilica in Alençon, the guest house is a place of accommodation and meals for families and pilgrims, only 300 meters from Saint Thérèse's birthplace.
Rooms
The guest house has 66 beds distributed across different types of rooms: family rooms, double rooms, dormitories, allowing it to best meet pilgrims' needs. Two rooms are also designed for people with reduced mobility. Each room has a private bathroom and toilet.
Meals
The dining room can accommodate up to 85 people. Dishes are prepared by a local caterer and reheated in the kitchen. Breakfast is prepared on site.
At the Sanctuary
During your stay in Alençon, you will find:
- A chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the chapel is accessible via the first and second floors. You can pray there at any time. The chapel has a capacity of 60 seats.
- A conference room: the guest house has a 70m² conference room, equipped with sound and video projection equipment.
- An activity room that can serve multiple functions according to needs (children's play room, dining room extension, etc.).
- The enclosed garden against the ramparts of old Alençon adds a touch of greenery to the pilgrims' guest house. Children can play safely in the dedicated play area. Couples can have quiet conversations on the terrace overlooking the garden or simply admire the bell tower of Notre-Dame Basilica.
Geography and activities
Alençon and its surroundings
Alençon and its region hold pleasant surprises: unique heritage, a historical past marked by illustrious figures, unsuspected treasures, landscapes and forests perfect for walking. An ideal setting to find renewal, take your time, and discover history and nature. The Martin Family loved walks in the Alençon region, for the pleasure of family travel or participating in local pilgrimages.
A brief historical and cultural detour...
... in the Martin family's footsteps
The various places in the Alençon region that marked the Martin family:
- The home of Rose Taillé, Saint Thérèse's wet nurse, in Semallé;
- The Saint-Denis Church in Sarthon and Butte Chaumont;
- The villages of Saint-Céneri and Saint-Léonard des Bois;
- The Sainte Anne Chapel of Champfrémont;
- The basilica and cathedral of Séez.
... or simply touristic
- The Dukes of Alençon Castle;
- The Museum of Fine Arts and Lace;
- The parks and gardens;
- 25km of greenways for walking;
- The Vélobuissinnière or the Véloscénie to cycle at your own pace and discover stunning heritage and landscapes.
Practical information
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