Spirituality
Live + Jesus
Our motto is “Live + Jesus”. That is to let Jesus live in us, to be mindful of His presence, and to think and act as He would. It is an intimate union with our Spouse that grows ever closer each moment of the day, especially in times of silence.
Saint Francis de Sales
Saint Francis de Sales envisioned a religious community marked by moderation, loving kindness, humility, and confidence in divine providence. He taught that holiness consists in uniting one’s will with God’s will and in doing ordinary things with extraordinary love.
His spirituality emphasizes:
• Loving union with God
• Trust in divine providence
• Humility, gentleness, and meekness
• Faithfulness to the duties of the present moment
• Interior recollection and prayer
• Charity expressed through patience and kindness
• These principles remain central to the life of the Visitation sisters.
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal gave practical and courageous expression to the spirituality of Saint Francis de Sales. Through her perseverance in suffering, fidelity to prayer, and generous leadership, she showed how complete self-giving to God can be lived in community.
The sisters look to her example of:
• Courage amid trials
• Fidelity to religious observance
• Perseverance in prayer
• Self-sacrificing charity
• Firmness united with gentleness
• Complete surrender to God’s will
• Together, Saints Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal established the Visitation as a community dedicated to simplicity, humility, prayer, and loving service.
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and the Sacred Heart
The spirituality of the Visitation was later greatly enriched through Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun of Paray-le-Monial. Through her life and witness, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was especially communicated to the Church.
Her example encourages the sisters to contemplate Christ’s love, adore Him in the Blessed Sacrament, make reparation for sin, and pray for the sanctification of souls. Eucharistic adoration and devotion to the Sacred Heart therefore hold an important place in the spiritual heritage of the Visitation.
Contemplative Vocation
The sisters’ primary apostolate is their contemplative life of prayer. Through the Holy Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic adoration, personal prayer, spiritual reading, work, and community life, they intercede for the Church and the needs of the world.
Their hidden life is offered especially for:
• The Holy Father, bishops, priests, and deacons
• Families and marriages
• Religious and priestly vocations
• The sick, suffering, and grieving
• The conversion of sinners
• The sanctification of parishes and religious communities
• All those who entrust their intentions to the monastery
Apostolate
Flowing from their contemplative vocation, the sisters serve the Church through prayer, sacrifice, hospitality, and practical assistance.
A particular apostolate of the monastery is the preparation and distribution of sacramental hosts to parishes and religious communities. Through this Eucharistic service, the sisters assist churches and communities in preparing for the celebration of Holy Mass and contribute to the sacramental life of the faithful.
Their apostolate also includes:
• Eucharistic adoration and intercessory prayer
• Receiving and remembering prayer intentions
• Supporting priests, parishes, and religious communities
• Offering spiritual encouragement
• Welcoming visitors according to the monastery’s schedule
• Preparing and distributing sacramental hosts
• In this way, the sisters’ work flows from the Eucharist and is directed toward the Eucharist.
Retreat and Hospitality Facilities
The monastery offers an atmosphere of silence, recollection, and prayer. According to community availability, visitors may inquire about retreats, days of recollection, prayer visits, and other opportunities for spiritual renewal.
Those interested should contact the monastery in advance regarding:
• Retreat availability
• Individual days of recollection
• Group visits
• Chapel access
• Accommodation
• Facility guidelines
Does This Life Speak to You?
If the quiet rhythm of prayer you've just read about stirs something in you, we would love to hear from you.
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