Association of Christian Faithful

Read a Letter from Sister Mary Berchmans Hannan, VHM '48 & '50 regarding the formation of the ACF

As they have for over 200 years, the Sisters of the Visitation are planning for the continued vitality of Georgetown Visitation for generations to come. One aspect of their planning relates to the Catholic sponsorship of the school. Under canon law, all Catholic schools are required to have a sponsor.

Diocesan schools are sponsored by the diocese; Visitation has always been independent, sponsored by the Sisters of the Visitation. In the event that the Monastery wishes to share or transfer sponsorship, canon law permits a group of lay people, called an Association of the Christian Faithful (ACF), to act as the canonical sponsor of a Catholic institution.

The Monastery is forming a group of candidates who could become an ACF. When the ACF receives approval from Cardinal Gregory, it will begin working with the Monastery to sponsor the school. The creation of the Visitation ACF will not affect the Monastery at all. Even as the Sisters plan for the school’s future, they are also continuing their ministries and reaching out to women interested in joining their community. The Sisters embrace this joyful partnership as God’s good pleasure, the next step in a decades-long process of sharing responsibility for the school with lay brothers and sisters.

Frequently Asked Questions About the ACF

What is an ACF?

What is the purpose of the ACF?

Why does Visitation need an ACF?

Canon law requires that a religious order or institute sponsor a Roman Catholic school. The Georgetown Visitation Monastery has sponsored Georgetown Visitation since its founding in 1799. An ACF, recognized under canon law as a suitable religious institute, can serve as the sponsor of its Roman Catholic foundational character, should the Monastery choose to delegate that responsibility.

Religious vocations to the Monastery have declined and the laity are called to greater service to Visitation, as they are throughout the Church. After much prayerful reflection, the Sisters invited a number of trusted, longtime spiritual companions of the Monastery and school to work with them to form an ACF. Should the Sisters no longer be able to perform their responsibilities for the school, the ACF will be able to assume their role in preserving our Catholic, Salesian identity into the future.

How will the establishment of an ACF affect the school?

Should the Sisters decide to transfer sponsorship to the ACF, the Association will assume the responsibilities currently held by the Monastery. The Monastery role is one of oversight: to ensure that the school continues its mission and is in communion with the Church. As such, it has reserve powers over the Board of Directors, such as approval of board members and explicit responsibility for matters involving religious identity. These powers will be assumed by the ACF.

As it has since 1994, the school’s Board of Directors will continue to set the policies to guide the operation of Georgetown Visitation. The Board of Directors is charged with safeguarding and promoting the mission of the school through robust strategic and financial planning, and implementing policies supportive of the school’s mission. The Head of School, Principal, administration, faculty and staff then implement these policies into school operations and are responsible for the daily practice of the Catholic, Salesian life at Visitation.

Does the establishment of an ACF mean that the Monastery is closing?

When will the ACF take on sponsorship of Georgetown Visitation?

Who is on the ACF? Are there any Sisters?

How are the ACF members selected?

What are the criteria for ACF members?

ACF candidates are fully initiated and practicing Catholics in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. They commit to participating in a Salesian Spirituality program approved by the ACF or otherwise demonstrate that they are familiar with the charism of the school and supportive of it. Also, ACF candidates shall participate in a program of formation in sponsorship, Catholic identity, and Catholic education.

Moving forward, the ACF members will select candidates, based on the criteria above. Candidates must participate in a year of formation before becoming full members.

If you have additional questions, please contact ACF leadership at acf@visi.org.

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