Pellevoisin Sanctuary
Located in the heart of France, between Tours and Châteauroux in the Indre department, the Marian sanctuary of Pellevoisin is discreet. Yet it is a pilgrimage site offering the opportunity for rejuvenating spiritual retreats!
Pellevoisin Sanctuary is a site of Marian apparitions. Indeed, it was in this haven of peace that, in 1876, the Virgin Mary appeared 15 times to a young woman named Estelle Faguette.
Retreats organized by the community
The congregation of the Brothers and Sisters of Saint John
The spiritual animation of Pellevoisin Sanctuary is entrusted to the Brothers of Saint John, whose priory is located 2 km away. A community of contemplative Sisters of Saint John also lives near the sanctuary.
A bit of history. The congregation of the Brothers of Saint John was founded in 1975. The contemplative Sisters followed in 1982. All draw inspiration from the figure and writings of the disciple Saint John, whose charism can be summarized as follows: Following the apostle John, to live together as friends of Christ and witness to his light and love. This is embodied daily within the community through four pillars that punctuate their daily life:
- life of prayer
- community life
- life of study
- apostolic life
The Brothers and Sisters of Saint John live rooted in the Church. They have taken vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The pastoral charge and prayer life of Pellevoisin Sanctuary were entrusted to them by the Archbishop of Bourges in 1999. They are thus responsible for welcoming pilgrims and visitors.
Our Lady of Mercy, the story of a miraculous healing
We'll recount the story. Estelle Faguette, a young 32-year-old woman suffering from an incurable illness, wrote in 1875 with confidence a letter to the Blessed Virgin asking her to intercede with her divine Son to obtain her healing and be able to support her elderly parents.
- The Virgin Mary then responded by appearing to her fifteen times, from February to December 1876, and delivering a message of mercy.
- On February 19, 1876, Estelle was completely healed.
- As early as 1877, the Archbishop of Bourges authorized public worship to Our Lady of Pellevoisin, and Estelle Faguette's room was transformed into a chapel.
- It was then in 1900 that Pope Leo XIII recognized the scapular of the Sacred Heart worn by the Virgin Mary in the apparitions to Estelle Faguette.
- Finally, the miracle of Estelle's healing was officially declared in 1983 by the Archbishop of Bourges.
Pellevoisin Sanctuary: a place of welcome and refuge for pilgrims
The sanctuary primarily welcomes pilgrims (individuals, families, groups, parishes, etc.) to help them benefit from the spirituality and graces poured out in this place.
A highlight of the year takes place on the last weekend of August during the annual pilgrimage.
Retreats are organized throughout the year for Christmas, New Year's, Easter, and Divine Mercy Sunday, as well as weekends for engaged couples, married couples, and their children. A 5-day individual retreat is also offered, listening to God as Estelle did until her complete healing.
Pilgrims can participate in the prayer life in the sanctuary chapel (Masses, offices of the contemplative sisters' community, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, rosary). They can also go pray at Estelle Faguette's tomb, visit the grotto of Montbel where Estelle had her petition to the Virgin Mary placed, and enjoy the park!
What to expect during your stay
Experience a time of retreat or a thematic session at Pellevoisin
The Brothers of Saint John offer different ways to experience a time of retreat at the sanctuary:
- Guests and retreatants come to attend a session or thematic retreat on a specific topic among those offered
- They can also come for a simple stay of personal and personalized renewal. In this case, it is possible to help with community services or gardens.
The sanctuary's guest house has 44 rooms (single or twin beds) and can accommodate up to 80 people. It is also possible to rent a self-catering house for individuals, families, or groups of up to 20 people. A large meeting room for 100 people can be made available.
Pellevoisin Sanctuary, a place to be welcomed and to welcome
Today, the sanctuary offers to welcome pilgrims and visitors, but also offers opportunities to be a volunteer (to help welcome pilgrims, visitors, and support the life of the sanctuary through cooking, secretarial work, gardening, etc.).
Volunteers provide a supporting presence and enable a happy and contagious family spirit for pilgrims who come to Pellevoisin!
Geography and activities
Experience a spiritual retreat in Indre, in central France
Our Lady of Mercy Sanctuary of Pellevoisin is located between Tours and Châteauroux. It is at the heart of a multitude of activity options, sources of certain change of scenery!
For a religious cultural outing, visit Fontgombault Benedictine Abbey or Neuvy Saint Sépulchre, which houses the famous relic of the Precious Blood (the few drops of Christ's blood, collected on the day of the passion on Calvary and then brought back from Jerusalem during the Crusades by Cardinal Eudes de Chateauroux).
Also let yourself be tempted by visiting the Sanctuary of Issoudun maintained by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, or by contemplating the splendid painting by Jean Fouquet at the church of Nouans les Fontaines, 20 km from Pellevoisin.
For an escape into nature, nothing better than a walk in the Brenne Regional Nature Park, the Bellebouche leisure center, the Beauval Zoo, or the Haute-Touche Reserve! Varied proposals suitable for young and old alike!
Practical information
Discover more locations
