About Bonnevaux
Bonnevaux, Centre for Peace, is the international home of the World Community for Christian Meditation
Mission
What is Bonnevaux?
Bonnevaux Centre for Peace, is the international home of The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM).
The Centre is close to the small village of Marçay, in Nouvelle Aquitaine, about 25 minutes from Poitiers train station and airport. IN 1119 a Benedictine Monastery was found here. Our long unpolluted hundred and sixty acres comprise grassland, woodland, a walled garden and a diversity of wildlife. There are also three natural springs and twenty-four ecosystems of local and national importance, part of which is an organic farm run by the community.
The resident community is itself inclusive, multi-national and welcomes guests and visitors to share in tis daily life of prayer, work and reflection. People of all ages, nationalities and faith traditions are welcome. Its simple daily rhythm is inspired by Benedictine wisdom which underpins the whole life of Bonnevaux. This is the basic daily schedule:
- 07.00 Optional Meditation
- 07.45 Morning Prayer and Meditation
- 12.15 Midday Prayer and Meditation
- 18.00 Evening Prayer and Meditation
Vision
Since John Main began the first Christian Meditation Centre at his monastery in 1975 the seed of his vision has grown to become a “global monastery without walls”. The idea of having a physical home for this community has grown through many years of discernment.
The mission of the Community has aspects of inreach and outreach. By inreach we mean the awakening of the contemplative dimension of Christian faith and life, especially through the teaching of meditation in churches, dioceses, schools, and universities. By outreach we mean sharing of the fruits of meditation in a secular context in order to develop new forms of leadership and new ideas for organizational and professional life.
Like the WCCM, Bonnevaux is an ecumenical community committed to friendship and collaboration among all faiths and secular society.
Our Story
The World Community for Christian Meditation is a global and inclusive contemplative family. Its roots lie in the desert tradition of early Christianity (4th century). In 1975, John Main (1926-1982) started the first Christian Meditation Centre in London. When he died his student Laurence Freeman took the lead in the global expansion of the Community. The World Community is now present in more than 100 countries with 3000 weekly meditation groups, multiple centres, and a publishing company.
On the 25th anniversary of its formation, the National Coordinators of WCCM called for an international centre and home to serve the community and to support its future development. In close collaboration with the WCCM in France we were led to Bonnevaux. It was significant to us that a pioneering contemplative community in the Benedictine tradition was founded there in 1119. In 2019 Bonnevaux renewed this life in a new way.
Bonnevaux means ‘beautiful valley’. The peaceful energy that is felt here today is the fruit of this tradition for which we are exploring new forms. Thanks to the generosity of WCCM members and National Communities as well as various foundations and trusts, we were able to purchase the property in 2017. The renovation began in 2018 and is ongoing.
