Drawn from the Little Virtues, inspired common sense, and spiritual counsel found in the writings and teachings of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, monthly Salesian themes have been chosen for our journey through each school year.

Network of Visitation Schools Theme for 2018-19:

JULY: GENEROSITY

August: moderation

September: holy friendship

“You must grow in love by means of the root, rather than the branches.”
- St. Francis de Sales

October: humility

“Keep your heart in peace and let nothing trouble you, not even your faults. You must humble yourself and amend them peacefully, without being discouraged or cast down, for God’s dwelling is in peace.”
- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

November: generosity

“As regards love of neighbor, may we give according to the measure with which our Divine Master has given to us. Then we truly will love each person as ourselves.”
- St. Jane de Chantal

December: simplicity

“It is requisite to be very simple in all things, and to walk in good faith… go on simply, and look only at God’s good pleasure in everything and without ceasing.”
- St. Jane de Chantal

January: Gentleness

“God will be your guide in all things if you keep yourself humble and lowly in His presence, supporting your neighbor with the utmost gentleness.”
- St. Jane de Chantal

February: faithfulness

“The foundation on which you are to support your faith lies in three points: God is all-wise; God is all-good; God is all-powerful and He loves you!”
- St. Jane de Chantal

March: patience

“What we need is a cup of understanding, a barrel of love, and an ocean of patience.”
- St. Francis de Sales

April: joyful optimism

“Have Jesus always for your patron, His Cross for a mast on which you must spread your resolutions as a sail. Your anchor shall be a profound confidence in Him, and you shall sail prosperously.”
- St. Francis de Sales

May: Hospitality

“Ought we not to love dearly the neighbor, who truly represents to us the sacred Person of our Master? And is this not one of the most powerful motives we could have for loving each other with an ardently burning love?”
- St. Francis de Sales

June: gratitude

“And in gratitude we ought to be conspicuous, as true Daughters of our Blessed Father, who of all men in the world, was the fullest of gratitude and affability towards all sorts of persons.”
- St. Jane de Chantal

In the spirit of hospitality, please join us each month as we welcome an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales to celebrate Mass with the Visitation community. All are welcome for liturgical celebration and spiritual nourishment in the Salesian tradition! All Masses are at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart unless noted otherwise.

8:30 a.m. in the Heritage Room ~ Second Tuesday of the Month. Join us for one or all!

Sisters, alumnae, parents, and faculty come together once a month for spiritual nourishment and learning about Visitation’s Salesian charism. Sr. Mary Berchmans '48 & '50 and Sr. Loretta’s “Salesian Friends Group” explores the timeless and inspired teaching of our founders and the spirit that infuses all that we do at Visitation. Each year the group focuses on a different book.

For 2018-2019 the group will be reading Madame de Chantal by Elisabeth Stopp. This Salesian literature classic is an engaging, intimate portrait of our strong, loving patroness whose life is a model for the young, the married, the widowed, and the professed religious.

2018-19 Dates

• September 11
• October 9
• November 13
• December 11
• January 8
• February 12
• March 12
• April 9
• May 14

Sponsored with the support of the Salesian Center, the Women Who Make A Difference Speaker Series brings “great-hearted women” to campus to share how they have heard and responded to the call to live lives of faith, vision, and purpose.

2018-19 Speakers

• Marie Therese Kane '14, Environmental Justice Advocate, spoke on Founders Day about "Small Seeds, Big Purpose" and mobilizing others around environmental and social justice issues.
  
  2017-18 Speakers
  
  • Meghan Ogilvie, CEO of Dog Tag Inc., spoke about "baking a difference" in the lives of transitioning veterans and military families, encouraging service and trust in God. Watch her speech here.
  • Margaret Camarca, nurse, writer, humanitarian, spoke on "Sowing Seeds of Peace: My Life at Mother of Mercy Hospital in Sudan."
  2016-17 Speakers
  • Rebecca Kamen, sculptor & lecturer, spoke about her work "STRATA: The Interconnection of Art, Science, and Spirituality."
  • Dr. Nancy Cowdin, neuroscience researcher & Visitation science teacher, spoke on “Sleep, Memory, and Emotions.” Dr. Cowdin presented current research findings on how sleep quality and quantity affect learning and health.
  • Cokie Roberts, journalist, political commentator, and author, was this year's Rosemary Hannan Mother-Daughter Book Talk guest. Ms. Roberts spoke on her most recent work, “Capital Dames," an account of the experiences, contributions, and influence of women in Washington, DC, during the Civil War era, including several Visitation alumnae.
  • Sr. Mada-anne Gell, VHM, Monastery archivist, spoke about Visitation Sisters who were World’s Fair prize-winners, architects, engineers, computer pioneers, artists, authors, and historians who made lasting contributions to American education.
  • Anne Goetze shared the love and story behind her photographic painting exhibit, "Pray to Love, Love to Pray: The Annecy France Nun Series.”
  • Magda Pettey (Veronika '17) reflected on God’s mercy and grace during the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

To share the charism of the Visitation Sisters, Georgetown Visitation offers weekly spiritual reflections for members and friends of our Salesian family far and wide. Learn more about our Loving Life, Living Jesus reflections.

Salesian Lay Association for Men (SLAM) gatherings are an opportunity for fathers of Visitation students - current and graduates - to gather monthly for Mass, fellowship, and Salesian formation.

SLAM was founded by and for fathers of students and graduates of Oblate Salesian schools who were attracted to the practical and optimistic spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. Their Apostolic Mission is “living Jesus” through practicing the Spiritual Directory of St. Francis de Sales, praying for the Church and for one another. The Visitation SLAM embraces this same mission, particularly as it is lived out in their vocations as fathers of Visitation women.

The Visitation SLAM meets on the third Saturday of the month during the school year, joining the Sisters at Mass in the Chapel at 7:30 a.m., then gathering at 8:00 a.m. in the Faculty Lounge for an hour of coffee, prayer, and conversation about that month’s Salesian readings (2-3 pages of Salesian writings, emailed in advance with a copy always on hand as well).

Come to SLAM once or every month, as your schedule allows.

Questions? VFC SLAM Leader, Scott Troxell (Meg ‘14, Katie ‘20) peaceboxtrox@gmail.com