Salesian Spirituality

Spirituality is everywhere at Visitation. It is lived by the Sisters who call Visitation home and alive in our classrooms, hallways, and Chapel. Our teachers offer companionship on students’ spiritual journeys.

Salesian Spirituality is the summation of the teachings of our spiritual co-founders, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, who founded the Visitation Order more than 400 years ago in France. They recognized the importance of spiritual direction for lay people; this is the spirituality that Visitation teaches and models today.

Salesian Spirituality is a universal, practical spirituality, appropriate for any person at any time. Fundamentally, it encourages us to trust in God’s loving providence as we walk through our days—and it provides common sense guidance on how best to do this.

Our embrace of Salesian Spirituality makes religious exploration particularly transformative for young women. Visitation Order co-founder St. Francis de Sales spoke of the power of Little Virtues—values like kindness, patience, and cheerful optimism.

Learn about our St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center

The Sisters have always lived Salesian Spirituality. Previously, students absorbed it through the presence of the Sisters in the classroom and around the school. Recently, the school and Monastery started discussing and teaching Salesian Spirituality in a very intentional way. Today, as lay leaders, our faculty and staff have assumed this responsibility and continue to nurture this spirituality that serves as our community’s foundation.

To safeguard and continue this incomparable way of life, Georgetown Visitation founded the St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center in May 2016. The Center offers us the assurance of a permanent home for the tangible and intangible treasures of our school history and of the Sisters’ spiritual endowment for generations to come.

“There is nothing so strong as gentleness and nothing so gentle as real strength." St. Francis de Sales

Strong and gentle, proud yet humble, spirited and spiritual, our students embrace the Salesian emphasis on balance, achieving harmony as well as great things. They grow through Christian service and retreats, and develop passion and compassion as they discover themselves and the God-given gifts they can bring to the world.

Little Virtues

Joyful Optimism

"My favorite Little Virtue is Joyful Optimism. We have a joyful spirit here at Visi. It is so noticeable. I think this virtue pairs with perseverance: you can do things happily, even when they're hard - that’s admirable."

Salesian Programming

To ensure that the Sisters’ gentle, inspired common sense approach to living a faith-filled life continues to endure, flourish, and guide all aspects of a Visitation education into our third century and beyond, Visitation founded the St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center, which works collaboratively with the Sisters of the Visitation, Salesian Ministry, Campus Ministry, Christian Service, and Religion Departments to create meaningful ways for our lay community to be the hands and voice of our Salesian charism as we witness the Sisters’ beautiful way of Living Jesus.

Visitation Salesian Network Monthly Themes

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.

Please find a list here of our monthly themes related to the Visitation Network annual theme of Live Jesus: Gentle & Humble of Heart.

Salesian Friends Group with the Sisters

8:30 a.m. ~ 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. 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.

Loving Life, Living Jesus Reflections

Crescent Conversations

Crescent Conversations - Sponsored by the Salesian Center and the Alumnae Salesian Spirituality Committee, Crescent Conversations is a monthly remote prayer and fellowship group for Visitation alums to share insights and questions to what living one's faith in the ordinary, everyday world looks like today - the challenges and the graces. Olivia Wills Kane '85, Alumnae Salesian Spirituality Co-Chairs Elizabeth Schneck Pearson '02 and Caitie Finley '00, and other alumnae lead this relevant and nourishing hour of prayer, Salesian Spirituality, and sisterhood.

Salesian Lay Association for Men (SLAM)

Salesian Lay Association for Men (SLAM)

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. Under normal circumstances, 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). A Zoom link will be provided for those wishing to join fellowship and discussion from a remote location.

Join SLAM once or every month, as your schedule allows. Contact our Visitation SLAM leader, Scott Troxell (Meg ‘14, Katie ‘20) at PeaceBoxTrox@gmail.com, for more information and to receive invites to the Zoom meetings.

VFC SLAM meeting dates:

September 17
October 15
November 19
December 17
January 21
February 18
March 18
April 15
May 20

Thursday Prayer Sessions

Together in Prayer, Thursday mornings from 7:30 to 8:00 AM on Zoom. Join our Visitation SLAM leader, Scott Troxell, and other faith-filled men for a half-hour of fellowship and prayer. Contact Scott Troxell (Meg ‘14, Katie ‘20) at PeaceBoxTrox@gmail.com for more information and to receive Zoom invites.

"Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.” ~St. Francis de Sales

First Friday Rosary with the Visitation Fathers' Club

First Friday Rosary

8AM, First Fridays. Join Visitation fathers in the Boardroom to pray the rosary together. Contact Dan Kerns (DanKerns25@gmail.com) to receive digital invites.

Dates:

September 9 (2nd Friday due to Labor Day)
October 7
November 4
December 2
January 6
February 3
March 3
No First Friday Rosary in April
May 5

First Friday Adoration

First Friday Adoration

From 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM on most First Fridays, the Chapel of the Sacred Heart will be open to students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumnae for Eucharistic Adoration. Below is the schedule, which reflects changes due to school holidays and events. Please contact Olivia Kane with any questions.

September 9 (September 2 is a school holiday)
October 7
November 11 (November 4 is Esprit de Noel)
December 2
January 6
February 3
March 3
April 21 (April 7 & 14 are school holidays)
May 5

You are invited to sign up here, but please feel free to also spontaneously come and spend time in Adoration.

Women Who Make A Difference Speaker Series

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.'

2021-22 Speakers

Bro. Mickey McGrath, OSFS, Artist, spoke on "Women as Prophetic Founders and Refounders of their Time" - October 14, 2022
Immaculee Ilibagiza, Rwandan American Author of "Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holcaust," spoke about faith, hope, and forgiveness - January 18 & 19, 2022

2020-2021 Speakers

Rebecca Kamen, Artist - April 2021
Danielle Harrison, St. Louis Visitation Academy alumna & Co-Director of the Jesuits' Slavery, History, Memory and Reconciliation Project spoke on D.C. Emancipation Day about hearing and answering the call of freedom - April 16, 2021

2019-20 Speakers

Maribeth Harper, Author - October 1, 2019
Kati Hylden Krueger '99, Salesian Pilgrim, "Procession of Love" - October 17, 2019
Bro. Mickey McGrath, OSFS, Artist and a Salesian "Man Who Makes a Difference" - November 1, 2019

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.
Rebecca Kamen, sculptor & lecturer, spoke about her work "STRATA: The Interconnection of Art, Science, and Spirituality."

2016-17 Speakers

Margaret Camarca, nurse, writer, humanitarian, spoke on "Sowing Seeds of Peace: My Life at Mother of Mercy Hospital in Sudan."
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.

Salesian Events

Founders' Day
Salesian Soup for the Soul
Pilgrimages to Annecy, France
VISTORY
Salesian Leadership Camp

Holding Your Intentions in Prayer

The Sisters hold our community in prayer each day, and welcome our special intentions. Please email intentions to intentions@visi.org.

Campus Ministry

Visitation's Campus Ministry Office supports students’ spiritual development through Masses, prayer services, in-class talks, and retreats

Christian Service

Caring for others is a fundamental part of our Catholic faith and Salesian tradition, and our Christian Service Program provides girls with opportunities to put their knowledge and beliefs into immediate practice.

Religious Education

Visitation's religion classes contemplate the relationship between faith and reason and examine the world from a Catholic perspective.

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Little Virtues

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