ABBAYE NOTRE-DAME DE FIDÉLITÉ

Overlooking the Durance Valley, about 20 kilometers from Aix-en-Provence, the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Fidelity is home to a community of about 50 nuns living according to the rule of St. Benedict. The monastery was founded in 1967 near the village of Jouques. Sent by the Abbey of Saint Louis du Temple in Limon (Essonne), a small group of nuns settled in Pey de Durance in farm buildings surrounded by several hectares of vineyards. The novitiate opened in 1970, and the monastery became an abbey in 1981. The community now has forty-seven sisters, ranging in age from 22 to 90. The call of Christ to leave everything to follow him led them to this place. Liturgy, lectio divina, personal prayer, work and fraternal life punctuate their days and nourish their common walk in the monastic life. Through personal or community joys and trials, it is always God's fidelity that sustains them. The monastery's guesthouse welcomes relatives and friends of the community, but also men, women or small groups wishing to make a retreat, in an atmosphere of prayer and peace. Since the foundation of the monastery, the sisters have cultivated about ten hectares of vines (mainly grenache, merlot, white uni, cinsault). Over the years, a large orchard and lavender fields have been planted on the abbey grounds, and beehives have been installed. More recently, an old olive grove has been restored: the old plants, lost in the middle of the pines, have been moved and replanted, on about 2 hectares. All these plantations are cultivated as naturally as possible. Intellectual work is also part of the task of each member to put his intelligence at the service of God.

Services: Matins at 5:00 am, Lauds at 7:30 am (Sunday 8:00 am), Third and Mass at 8:30 am (Sunday 10:30 am), Sext at 12:45 pm, None at 2:45 pm, Vespers at 5:30 pm, and Compline at 8:00 pm. For the Divine Office and Mass, the community sings in Gregorian

sings in Gregorian.

Reception: Guests are received in a separate accommodation with about thirty rooms. Possibility of

full board.

Store: In the abbey store, you will find products made mostly by the community: jams, honey, almonds, olive oil, wine. Perfumery: soaps, essential oil of lavender, lavender water. In the bookstore: Mother Geneviève Gallois, children's books, CDs, DVDs, cards and pictures.