LE CANTOU

On the Rocamadour variant of the roads to Santiago, located at the foot of the sanctuary, this Christian welcome belongs to the congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Calvary of Gramat-Rocamadour. The Sisters of Our Lady of Calvary find their roots in the Mother House of Gramat, the cradle of the Congregation, with Blessed Father Bonhomme and the founders, Hortense Pradel (Mother Therese) and her sister Adele. The congregation was founded on October 15, 1833 to care for the sick at home and for parish works. The first nuns of the community, originally called Sisters of the Presentation of the Virgin, quickly multiplied and opened several parish schools in the rural areas of the diocese of Cahors. The construction of the mother house was undertaken in Gramat in 1883. The institute obtained the decree of praise on March 8, 1911 and the congregation was finally approved by the Holy See on December 27, 1927. The congregation continued to grow in France, then sisters left for Latin America: 1906 in Brazil and 1907 in Argentina; in Africa: 1959 in Ivory Coast, 1991 in Guinea Conakry and 2007 in Burkina Fasso. They have settled in Asia: 1999 in the Philippines and 2009 in Vietnam. The congregation makes available the Cantou house in order to welcome pilgrims from all horizons, cultures, languages with various projects, or also to welcome sisters from all congregations for a time of desert, rest, and renewal and lay people who are not necessarily pilgrims. The Cantou is located in the heart of the Rocamadour sanctuary, in a quiet place, conducive to meditation and with an exceptional view of the site. The sisters of the community participate in the life of the sanctuary and invite you to share their time of prayer and meetings.

The services are those of the Rocamadour sanctuary. As for the reception, the place offers a capacity of 14 places with 7 individual rooms, 1 double room and 1 dormitory of 6 places (3 showers, 3 WC). There is no catering service, but a fully equipped kitchen is available for guests and picnics are available for pilgrims. The reception and accommodation are assured by three sisters: Sister Jacqueline, Sister Marie-Jeanne and Sister Marie-France, assisted by a hospitaler. Pilgrims are welcomed from 3pm onwards. The rooms or dormitory must be vacated before 8:30 a.m. for the smooth running of the establishment.