Spiritual Life
As a Catholic school, faith is our cornerstone. We are guided by the gentle and practical Salesian Spirituality of Saints Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal as we enrich each student’s life with a optimistic, holistic approach to her spiritual life. Simple, yet powerful and life affirming, Salesian Spirituality is the Sisters’ gentle, inspired common sense approach to living a faith-filled life; it continues to endure, flourish, and guide all aspects of a Visitation education.
Along with our theology classes and Christian service program, our campus ministry office supports students’ spiritual development through a range of offerings. These include Masses, sacramental opportunities, prayer services, in-class talks, and retreats, all aimed at helping girls strengthen their relationships with God, self, and others.
While there are many opportunities for students to deepen their faith, graduating seniors often say that some of their most profound and transformative experiences were the retreats they participated in at Visitation. Junior Retreat, a class-wide event held at Camp Maria on scenic Breton Bay, is usually among girls' most treasured memories, and the Kairos Retreats are often referred to as "incredible" and "life-changing."
Faith Matters
![Anne-Sophie '24]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1648150377/visiorg/sded4qqgrts9udhe2haz/40858_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1648150377/visiorg/sded4qqgrts9udhe2haz/40858_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1648150377/visiorg/sded4qqgrts9udhe2haz/40858_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1648150377/visiorg/sded4qqgrts9udhe2haz/40858_1.jpg","width":1200}])
"The prayer at the beginning and end of classes has become an important part of my day. I like thinking that the entire student body is connected in our faith and shares this moment across campus."
![Ne'Miya '21]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1642095484/visiorg/yyx27dmsmgsnzgakq3zr/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2018_159.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1642095484/visiorg/yyx27dmsmgsnzgakq3zr/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2018_159.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1642095484/visiorg/yyx27dmsmgsnzgakq3zr/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2018_159.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1642095484/visiorg/yyx27dmsmgsnzgakq3zr/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2018_159.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1642095484/visiorg/yyx27dmsmgsnzgakq3zr/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2018_159.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1642095484/visiorg/yyx27dmsmgsnzgakq3zr/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2018_159.jpg","width":1992}])
"Attending Visitation introduced me to Salesian Spirituality. I am grateful for Visitation’s emphasis on living the tenets of Salesian Spirituality, which has shown me that being kind and generous does not make me weak; it makes me strong. And so does trusting in God."
![Ellis '23]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1642094870/visiorg/msytkztbhyon00u4h0t4/37875.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1642094870/visiorg/msytkztbhyon00u4h0t4/37875.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1642094870/visiorg/msytkztbhyon00u4h0t4/37875.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1642094870/visiorg/msytkztbhyon00u4h0t4/37875.jpg","width":1200}])
"[The Salesian Little Virtue of] joyful optimism is not simply about being confident; it is also about opening your heart to the next step that God has planned."
![Sobi '22]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1639088851/visiorg/yjqaipeqcqikc00druq1/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2019_0380.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1639088851/visiorg/yjqaipeqcqikc00druq1/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2019_0380.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1639088851/visiorg/yjqaipeqcqikc00druq1/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2019_0380.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1639088851/visiorg/yjqaipeqcqikc00druq1/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2019_0380.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1639088851/visiorg/yjqaipeqcqikc00druq1/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2019_0380.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1639088851/visiorg/yjqaipeqcqikc00druq1/GeorgetownVisitation_Fall2019_0380.jpg","width":2200}])
“Having a religion class built into my curriculum has made me more disciplined in learning more about my faith. For instance, I don’t just pray and go to church anymore, but through my homework and classwork, I am regularly learning more about my faith and understanding it more deeply.”
![Mariana '21]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1639086008/visiorg/w0nef0gygtsl4eo8eyfd/GeorgetownVisitation_Spring2018_450.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1639086008/visiorg/w0nef0gygtsl4eo8eyfd/GeorgetownVisitation_Spring2018_450.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1639086008/visiorg/w0nef0gygtsl4eo8eyfd/GeorgetownVisitation_Spring2018_450.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1639086008/visiorg/w0nef0gygtsl4eo8eyfd/GeorgetownVisitation_Spring2018_450.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1639086008/visiorg/w0nef0gygtsl4eo8eyfd/GeorgetownVisitation_Spring2018_450.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1639086008/visiorg/w0nef0gygtsl4eo8eyfd/GeorgetownVisitation_Spring2018_450.jpg","width":2200}])
“I never really felt connected to my faith before coming to Visi. As I got settled in this community, though, seeing all of the opportunities that could help me connect with my faith – having access to a chapel at any time, getting to know the Sisters, and offering prayers throughout the day – heightened my awareness of God’s presence in small, everyday moments.”
Spiritual Life @ Visi
6
spiritual retreats
2
salesian camps
1
campus minister
9
all-school masses each year
16,500
student service hours per year
30
liturgical ministers per mass
6
service trips per year
5
collection drives per year
25,000
cans of food collected at G-W
Spiritual Life Alive at Visi
![Alums Share How They "Care for Our Common Home" at Laudato Si' Panel]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1676603547/visiorg/lfsx3wwquplo9nhtf5ca/IMG_1224.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1676603547/visiorg/lfsx3wwquplo9nhtf5ca/IMG_1224.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1676603547/visiorg/lfsx3wwquplo9nhtf5ca/IMG_1224.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1676603547/visiorg/lfsx3wwquplo9nhtf5ca/IMG_1224.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1676603547/visiorg/lfsx3wwquplo9nhtf5ca/IMG_1224.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1676603547/visiorg/lfsx3wwquplo9nhtf5ca/IMG_1224.jpg","width":2200}])
On Wednesday, February 15, a panel of four alums in environmental work shared how they "care for our common home" and put the wisdom of Laudato Si' into action each day.
![Amy Devere Honored as Dan Kerns Salesian Leadership Awardee]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1675389577/visiorg/rzg0twdh7etz3z0fmcfo/NewsStory-Thumbnail57.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1675389577/visiorg/rzg0twdh7etz3z0fmcfo/NewsStory-Thumbnail57.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1675389577/visiorg/rzg0twdh7etz3z0fmcfo/NewsStory-Thumbnail57.png","width":560}])
Assistant Athletic Director, trainer, and teacher Amy Devere, who has worked at Visitation for more than two decades, was honored as the second annual Dan Kerns Salesian Leadership awardee. The award, named for former Head of School Dan Kerns, is presented annually to one faculty and/or staff member who has demonstrated their dedication to upholding Salesian values and virtues within the school community.
![Visi4Life Brings Speakers to Campus to Inspire Before March]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1674152834/visiorg/fxzkl24i7q9ysszh69s5/IMG_0932.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1674152834/visiorg/fxzkl24i7q9ysszh69s5/IMG_0932.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1674152834/visiorg/fxzkl24i7q9ysszh69s5/IMG_0932.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1674152834/visiorg/fxzkl24i7q9ysszh69s5/IMG_0932.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1674152834/visiorg/fxzkl24i7q9ysszh69s5/IMG_0932.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1674152834/visiorg/fxzkl24i7q9ysszh69s5/IMG_0932.jpg","width":2200}])
Leading up to the March for Life in Washington, the Visi4Life club held a rosary for the unborn, ran a diaper drive to help mothers in need, and hosted several speakers from Stanton International, which offers life-affirming healthcare for women.
!["Everything Pertains to Love" released by Pope Francis on anniversary of de Sales' death]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673032256/visiorg/gkstzfmwwewrmlgnfvab/NewsStory-Thumbnail56.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1673032256/visiorg/gkstzfmwwewrmlgnfvab/NewsStory-Thumbnail56.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673032256/visiorg/gkstzfmwwewrmlgnfvab/NewsStory-Thumbnail56.png","width":560}])
Pope Francis published an apostolic letter on December 28 marking the 400th anniversary of the death of Visitation Order co-founder, St. Francis de Sales, titled "Everything Pertains to Love," which he believes summarizes the "spiritual legacy" of de Sales.
![Gianna Meloni '17 encourages students to embrace who they are today at Father-Daughter Mass & Brunch]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1671131385/visiorg/cfk2ci5xjboyahhxy10w/NewsStory-Thumbnail55.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1671131385/visiorg/cfk2ci5xjboyahhxy10w/NewsStory-Thumbnail55.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1671131385/visiorg/cfk2ci5xjboyahhxy10w/NewsStory-Thumbnail55.png","width":560}])
Gianna Meloni '17 encourages students to embrace who they are today at Father-Daughter Mass & Brunch
Yale graduate and former Division I ice hockey player - and one of Yale's best female ice hockey goalies in its history - Gianna Meloni '17 spoke to students and fathers attending the school's annual Father-Daughter Mass & Brunch, hosted by the Visitation Fathers Club on December 4. Now in graduate school and an author of a children's book about mental health, Gianna reflected on her experiences at Visitation and how they have influenced her today.