Carmel of Jesus Mediator in Nantes

Posted in Carmelites, Diocese of Nantes, Ecclesiastical province of Rennes

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The History of our Monastery

The Carmel of Jesus Mediator in Nantes was the 21st Carmel founded in France according to the reform of St Teresa of Avila.

Since 1477, there existed in a place known as “Les Couëts”, near to Nantes, a monastery of Carmelites established by Blessed Françoise d’Amboise (Duchess of Brittany) with the support of Blessed John Soreth, the General of the Order at that time. This Carmel persisted until the Revolution of 1789. The first Teresian Monastery was established in 1618 at the request of a family from Nantes. The foundresses came from the Carmels of Tours, Rouen and Pontoise.

At the Revolution, the religious were dispersed. In 1816, the survivors resumed the common life with the help of the Carmelites of Orleans. In 1840, they settled definitively at 90, rue du Coudray, in the parish of St Donatian (“The land of the Holy Martyrs, Donatian and Rogatian, late 3rd century”).

The monastery today

The Carmel of Nantes was and remains marked by the influence of the “Little Flower” ; the letters of Mother Agnes, the sister of Thérèse, are in their archives bearing witness to their relationship with and closeness to the Carmel of Lisieux and the doctrine of Thérèse.

People who wish come and pray in our chapel, participate in the celebration of the Eucharist and the Divine Office of each day. They are invited on feast days, most particularly on the Carmelite and Theresian feasts throughout the year. (Eucharist – 8 a.m. during the week, 10 a.m on Sundays ; Lauds 7.15 a.m, Vespers, 5 p.m.).
Three small studio apartments are available to those who wish to spend a few days in silence and to participate in the Office.

Special features of our monastery

The fruits of the work of the sisters can be found in the reception area of the Carmel of Nantes. Their principal way of making a living is through the sale of Eucharistic hosts. The produce of their other activities can also be found : stoles, chasubles, rosaries, pictures, jams. A book counter, particularly directed to making known Carmelite and Theresian spirituality is available for those interested.