MAISON DE LA TRINITÉ CERFROID

The Maison de la Trinité was founded by the Provençal Saint Jean de Matha in 1193, the day after he celebrated his first mass and was inspired to found the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and Redemption of Captives. He withdrew to the woods of Cerfroid to live with hermits. The local nobility offered him land and a house for his mission: to redeem Christian captives in the East and carry out works of mercy. Pope Innocent III supported his work as early as 1198. Over the course of eight centuries, more than 100,000 captives were bought back by the Trinitarians, including the famous author Miguel de Cervantes.

The current property dates back to the ^13th century, donated by Gaucher III de Châtillon, a close associate of King Philippe Auguste. The Maison de la Trinité de Cerfroid became the head of the Trinitarian or Mathurin order until the French Revolution. The Minister General took up residence here until 1462, and the General Chapters of the Order were held here. With the Edict of Montmorecy signed in 1632, King Louis XIII introduced the reformed Trinitarians of the Pontoise congregation, who remained until 1792. Sold as national property, the property passed from hand to hand, and in 1867, the Trinitarian Calixte de la Providence bought it to set up a novitiate and a home for orphans. Due to a lack of vocation, he left the house twenty years later. It was not until 1944 that the titular nuns of Valence took it over and set up a housekeeping school for young girls from the surrounding villages. The fathers, who returned to France in 1970, set up a novitiate there in 1986 and, together with the nuns, provide a service of welcome and spiritual guidance.

Today, the Maison de la Trinité de Cerfroid, cradle of the Trinitarian Order (apostolic congregation), is set in a magnificent natural environment. You'll enjoy a family atmosphere, with sisters, brothers and laypeople happy to welcome you. It offers hospitality to anyone, alone or in a group, wishing to spend one or more days in a place of prayer, for a time of retreat, recollection or rest.

Services: Prayer at 7:45 a.m. weekdays, Lauds at 8:15 a.m. except Saturday at 7:45 a.m., midday at 12:20 p.m., adoration at 5:45 p.m. weekdays and 6 p.m. w-e, vespers at 6:30 p.m., compline at 8:40 p.m.

Reception: Single and double rooms. Groups welcome. Meeting rooms. Chapel available to guests.