Notre-Dame de Bon Secours Sanctuary
In the heart of Ardèche, on the edge of Cévennes National Park, the community of Sisters of the Presentation of Mary welcomes you to the Notre-Dame de Bon Secours Sanctuary!
Founded in 1682 by Julien de Lille, a soldier and physician, in gratitude to Our Lady who had protected him from a fall from his horse, the Bon Secours Sanctuary began as a small chapel. It became a church and then a basilica in 1930, and a guest house, the Saint Joseph House, was later opened. You are welcome here!
Retreats organized by the community
A fall from a horse, the origin of the Sanctuary's creation
In 1682, Julien de Lille, a soldier and physician vacationing in Montredon, fell from his horse and asked for Our Lady's protection, making her a promise to "build a chapel." He emerged unharmed but forgot his promise.
The following year, he fell at the same spot! He then decided to fulfill his promise and had a 16m2 chapel built. He brought from Paris a statue of Our Lady carved from walnut wood. Since then, the chapel known as Bon Secours became a church and then a basilica (1930) with a guest house for retreatants.
From an ordinary story of a fall from a horse, the Saint Joseph House was born.
The Presentation of Mary community
The community of Sisters of the Presentation of Mary serves in welcoming pilgrims and providing spiritual animation at the Sanctuary. Territorially, the sanctuary is part of Sainte-Thérèse-des-Cévennes parish. For a bit of history, this Saint Thérèse was the foundress of the Cenacle Sisters, whose birthplace is in Sablières, 25 km from Notre-Dame de Bon Secours.
The Presentation of Mary community was called by Msgr. Balsa, Bishop of Viviers, to develop the welcome of pilgrims and spiritual animation at the Notre-Dame de Bon Secours Sanctuary.
The story of Saint Marie Rivier
Arriving in September 2020 at the sanctuary, the community is also present in 20 countries, and their foundress Marie Rivier was canonized (that is, recognized as a Saint by the Catholic Church) on May 15, 2022. Marie Rivier knew the sanctuary well and came to this place on pilgrimage herself.
During her life from 1768 to 1838, Marie Rivier and some Sisters who accompanied her opened schools and created dispensaries. For an interesting bit of trivia, on the evening of her death, nearly 141 schools created by Marie Rivier and her disciples were counted. A 130-kilometer hiking trail is currently being created under the name Chemin Sainte Marie Rivier.
What to expect during your stay
A pilgrimage site where it's good to linger
The Sisters are today happy to be here to welcome pilgrims and offer times of retreat and renewal to those who wish it!
In this place, they live the spirit of Pope Francis's encyclicals Laudato Si and Fratelli tutti. The welcome of young people, youth groups, scouts, and young professionals is encouraged so that together we can "Care for ourselves, for others, for creation, and for our relationship with the Lord."
Deeply rooted in its village, the community cultivates bonds of fraternity with the neighboring collective where there is a bakery, a brewery, a butcher shop, and a local producers' store! And it is in this spirit of fraternity and closeness to nature that the Sisters open the sanctuary to you for a special time!
The Sisters welcome people for short spiritual stays of up to 2 nights, inviting their guests to participate in the calm of the place by respecting silence from 9pm until 8am, and in the life of the place by offering time of service according to each person's talents for everyone's benefit: gardening, painting, decorating... Guests are also invited to participate in one liturgical office (prayer with the community) during the day.
Various offerings also animate the welcome at the Sanctuary:
- Fridays "Come away" to experience a day of "desert," listening to God's Word, with the possibility of arriving the evening before. Thursday evening or Friday morning, it is possible to meet with a Sister.
- On the 1st Sunday of the month, after the 10:30am Mass, "Open table at the Sanctuary" is offered. This consists of sharing a meal with the community, with everyone bringing something for the meal. In the afternoon, a refreshing walk may be offered or an "alternative time," depending on those present.
And during Lent:
- A Stations of the Cross is offered every Friday at 3pm
- On Wednesdays March 1, 15, and 29, from 6pm to 8:30pm, a time of teaching and sharing around the Word is offered, along with Vespers and a "soup and apple" meal
- The sanctuary opens its doors and simply welcomes those who wish to live at the rhythm of the community for the Easter Triduum (young people between 18 and 35 years old)
Taking a spiritual retreat at Bon Secours Sanctuary
In a very simple and family-like setting, the Sisters welcome you to the Saint Joseph House, which houses two independent spaces:
- The family space on the 2nd floor, with 4 rooms, a 6-bed dormitory, a library, an oratory, a common room, and an equipped kitchen
- The hermitage with two rooms and an equipped kitchen
Meeting rooms can be made available!
Meals are self-catering. There is a restaurant nearby, a shop supplied by 26 local producers, as well as a small grocery store.
Geography and activities
A place surrounded by exceptional natural heritage!
The Sanctuary is located at the foot of the Cévennes in a magnificent setting with Mediterranean characteristics, with vineyards, olive groves, and limestone soil, which you can explore at your leisure.
The proximity of this green haven allows for many walks in the chestnut groves and swims in the Chassezac and Baume rivers, very pleasant in summer!
The Sanctuary, including Notre-Dame de Bon Secours Basilica, the Saint Joseph House with a large green space, and the Notre Dame Gardens (terraces and the so-called Sisters' garden), is located 2km from the center of Lablachère village!
The nearest towns are Alès (50km), St Ambroix (25km), and Aubenas (25km), and the proximity of Vallon Pont d'Arc and the Chauvet Cave guarantee access to numerous museums in this very touristic area in summer. A swimming pool "La perle d'eau" 1km away can also welcome you during this time of year!
Practical information
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