Missionary Family of Our Lady - Bergerac
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The Missionary Family of Our Lady in Bergerac, ideally located between Paris and Bordeaux, is a former Carmel surrounded by a peaceful park. It offers a unique spiritual experience.
Come share divine office, meals and moments of meditation in a serene atmosphere. It's a haven of peace in the heart of the purple Périgord, famous for its vineyards such as Monbazillac and Pécharmant, and an opportunity to discover the historical and natural richness of the Dordogne during gabarre boat rides.
Retreats organized by the community
The Bergerac house, nestled in the heart of the Bordeaux wine region
The Missionary Family of Our Lady settled within the Carmel of the Sacred Heart, a monastery founded in 1861 to welcome the Carmelites, who had already been residing for three years in Bergerac in a temporary dwelling.
They patiently awaited the completion of this magnificent monastery, designed to meet the needs of the Carmelite order, before being able to occupy it. For nearly 150 years, numerous Carmelites lived, prayed and offered their prayers in this House, leaving behind a palpable religious atmosphere.
The continuity of religious life was a major concern for them, and destiny allowed two religious families to establish connections and discover that they shared a common devotion to Our Lady of the Snows.
In 2008, the Missionary Family of Our Lady thus took up residence in the monastery and today the house radiates throughout the entire southwestern region!
The great Missionary Family of Our Lady
The Missionary Family of Our Lady is a religious congregation in service to the Church, founded in 1946 in Saint-Pierre-de-Colombier in Ardèche by Father Lucien Marie Dorne and Mother Marie Augusta. This religious family is composed of brothers and sisters led by a Father and a Mother.
Guided by Our Lady of the Snows, their first rope leader with an Immaculate Heart, the members of the congregation profess the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They respond to the call of the Heart of Jesus by abandoning everything to follow and imitate him.
Their primary mission is to become messengers of Love. They devote themselves to the education of hearts, seeking to mold them in the image of the hearts of Jesus and Mary, and to help each person progress spiritually toward holiness. They accomplish this mission in various ways:
- By providing formation to transmit the faith of the Church and the teachings of the popes.
- By inviting participation in the liturgy, in moments of prayer, and by taking part in divine office or pilgrimages.
- By offering support adapted to each age group, to help people progress in their spiritual journey in a practical way.
- By providing spiritual guidance to families, young adults, adolescents, children, and to anyone seeking to advance on the path to holiness.
What to expect during your stay
Welcome to a unique spiritual place
In Bergerac, the Missionary Family of Our Lady opens its doors to you.
Accompanied by the tranquility of the surrounding park, this community ardently unfolds its mission dedicated to the education of hearts through various hospitality opportunities.
One of these takes the form of five-day spiritual retreats, skillfully designed to meet the needs of our times.
These retreats are characterized by silence, meditation and prayer, and they are open to anyone aged 17 years or older.
Each day, a specific theme is explored through a series of Spiritual Exercises. After each exercise, time for personal meditation is provided, and priests are available for meetings or confessions, thus offering essential spiritual support.
The day culminates with Mass, which represents the summit of the daily program, while liturgical office and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in the company of the brothers and sisters of the community, mark the rhythm of this spiritual retreat.
Taking a retreat time within the community
The community offers its visitors the opportunity to live an experience within its religious family, thus sharing divine office, meals, moments of formation and exchanges, all in a peaceful and warm atmosphere.
The house, a former Carmel, constitutes a place conducive to prayer and meditation, while the wooded park offers an enchanting setting to find renewal in nature.
The Bergerac house can accommodate up to 84 people. Perfect for coming with your family, friends, cousins...
Geography and activities
Montbazillac, Saint-Emilion, Pécharmant: explore the purple Périgord
The Dordogne offers the possibility of gabarre boat rides. The rivers of the Dordogne have always been privileged circulation routes. As in the days of merchant transport, gabarres have made their return to take visitors on river adventures rich in historical and heritage discoveries.
A stone's throw from the monastery you can visit the vineyards of Monbazillac, and perhaps taste in moderation what makes the pride of this terroir. It's not exactly monastic craftsmanship, but it's worth the visit...
We remind you in passing that the Périgord is the birthplace of foie gras... (We're just saying, we're not saying anything)
Practical information
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