Notre-Dame-de-Fidélité Convent, Douvres
In Calvados, not far from Caen and 6 miles from the first D-Day beaches, you'll find Notre-Dame-de-Fidélité Convent, home to a religious community founded in 1831 and dedicated to education!
This is where about fifteen sisters live day to day, forming the Mother House Community. Their monastery welcomes everyone for a time of spiritual renewal in Normandy!
Retreats organized by the community
The Notre-Dame de Fidélité Congregation
An apostolic congregation with Marian spirituality and Ignatian roots, its essential mission focuses on education in the broadest sense. From the beginning, creative initiatives for young people and adults facing various challenges emerged, focused on welcoming the disadvantaged and educating underprivileged children.
From the start, the educational mission extended from orphan girls to children and young people of all backgrounds. Coeducation became standard in their schools in the 1960s.
Faithful to Mother Sainte-Marie's aspirations, very diverse types of welcome spaces have opened throughout history: orphanages in the 19th century, specialized institutions for young people with disabilities starting in 1950, a spiritual welcome house in La Délivrande (since 2000), and two student residences. The Caen residence closed in 2013, while "La Maison" in Paris-Montparnasse will reopen in 2024.
They support the parish with children's catechism and other pastoral activities.
Brief history of Notre-Dame de Fidélité in Douvres-la-Délivrande
The congregation was founded on February 26, 1831 by Henriette Le Forestier d'Osseville to welcome "poor little orphan girls," as they were called then. This mission quickly expanded to include a boarding school for young girls.
Six religious sisters settled in a small house dating from 1703 within a vast property. The foundation's initial purpose was to thank Our Lady of La Délivrande, a very ancient Norman pilgrimage site, for the healing of Elisabeth de Jumilhac, youngest daughter of Count Théodose Le Forestier d'Osseville, after the family had been deeply bereaved by the successive deaths of three other children.
The chapel underwent expansion as early as 1866. Imposing neoclassical-style buildings were constructed following the foundation. The chapel, whose cornerstone was laid on June 17, 1831, underwent expansion as early as 1866 (choir and transept) but only came into use after major renovation for the celebration of the Institute's Centenary (1931).
Although spared by the bombings and shelling of the Battle of Normandy, the chapel suffered from the tremors caused by the explosions. These effects, which became apparent 20 years later, combined with exposure to weather conditions, weakened the stained glass windows, which underwent careful restoration between 1995 and 2007, supervised by DRAC.
The chapel choir has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2007. In 1930, for the Congregation's centenary, a commission was placed with René Lalique for a large glass crucifix. René Lalique's proposals received no response, and the artist returned to Paris where he secretly prepared a surprise! Inspired by the morning light radiating through the chapel, René Lalique designed not only the crucifix but also the choir windows, the tabernacle door included in the altarpiece, the communion rail, a sanctuary lamp, and two luminous columns, all organized in a unified perspective.
Most elements are made from molded-cast-pressed glass and feature a fleur-de-lis motif. This complete architectural ensemble is considered one of René Lalique's two most important religious works! Also in 1931, a wax reliquary effigy representing Saint Florida, martyr of Africa, was installed in the chapel for catechetical purposes!
In 1948, for the Superior General's Jubilee, a commission was placed with Alix Aymé for the creation of 14 Stations of the Cross in Oriental lacquer. This unique and truly remarkable work is listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments. A 15th station, titled "Resurrection," was created in 2014 by Isabelle Emmerique, lacquer artist and Master of Art. This lacquer is set in a vast contemporary marquetry in light tones, signed by Marie Collino.
The convent park contains many treasures:
- a tempietto dedicated to Saint Joseph in memory of the founder's healing (1835)
- A romantic space called "the grotto," actually a former ice house, preceded by a column recounting the highlights of the foundation's early days
- a statue of the Faithful Virgin in bronze at its summit, offered in 1838 by Archbishop de Quelen of Paris, celebrating Prince Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord's return to God and the Church
- An imposing sculpted statue of the Sacred Heart, dated 1892
- The sisters' Community cemetery, a peaceful place, and its calvary beneath a majestic cedar of Lebanon
As you can see, artistic dimension holds a significant place in these surroundings!
What to expect during your stay
Hospitality in Douvres-la-Délivrande
The Khaïré Space, faithful to its mission, offers simple and welcoming hospitality in the "house of the charism" at the heart of an inspiring park with inspirational touches. The "Khaïré" Space: a Greek verb expressing in two syllables openness to offered grace: Joy to you!
A spiritual retreat is held once a year. As for welcoming pilgrims, individuals or groups wishing to find renewal, it's open year-round!
The sisters live in part of the buildings. They warmly welcome those who wish to join their prayer times:
- Office of Psalms in the morning (Lauds) and Vespers in the evening
- Masses several times a week at the parish or at Notre-Dame de la Délivrande Basilica
Living a spiritual retreat in Calvados
Several types of accommodation are offered at the guest house! For meals, half board with dinner in the evening is preferred.
Access to the classified park is available.
The community offers during the year 24 rooms:
- 13 twin rooms with shower and toilet
- 8 single rooms with sink or shower
- 2 rooms with 1 bed
- 1 room with double bed and sink
A welcome room, a conference room, and a lounge are also available.
In summer, the community offers:
- 25 single rooms, with sink or shower
- A lounge with television, reading materials, and games accessible upstairs with other summer guests.
Geography and activities
Between land and sea, cultural and natural heritage
Ideally located between Caen and the sea, Douvres-la-Délivrande is dynamic and pleasant to live in. Blessed with a rich historical past and substantial heritage, Douvres also offers numerous shops, a farmers market, an aquatic center "Aquanacre," and a cultural center "C3 le Cube." It's also known for its British military cemetery and its Franco-German Radar 44 Museum, a remnant of the Atlantic Wall.
A large number of activities and places are accessible from the convent during your retreat time, reachable on foot, by car, or by bike (notably along the Vélomaritime) which will take you to the nearest beach in just a few pedal strokes!
In Courseulles-sur-Mer:
- Juno Beach Centre: the only Canadian museum on the D-Day Beaches. Note: preferential rate for cyclists and adapted facilities
- photo opportunity from the wooden pier
- the Cross of Lorraine and Juno Park
- the fish market at the fishing port every morning
- observing flora and fauna along the Seulles River
- the shopping street with its small souvenir shops.
In Bernières-sur-Mer:
- the Canadians' House, the first house liberated by sea on June 6, 1944
- remnants of the Atlantic Wall
- the Remem'Bernières memorial trail
- the walk along the Platon Marsh
- the lovely historic heritage of the town center, notably the church and its remarkable 17th-century stone altarpiece...
Here are more suggestions for Normandy!
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