Salesian Spirituality

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

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.

Salesian Spirituality is infused in the life of the school through every member of our community, and it is shepherded intentionally through the work of the St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center.

Learn about Visitation's
St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center

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.

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.

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 Chatbot

Visitation's Salesian chatbot was designed by Hope Dickson '25, president of our Cubs Who Code club. Drawing exclusively on the teachings of St. Francis de Sales, including Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God, and letters from both St. Francis and St. Jane de Chantal, it is a digital assistant designed to embody his gentle, positive, and compassionate spirit and wisdom. Rooted in the Salesian virtues of kindness, patience, and joyful optimism, the chatbot is programmed to respond with warmth and respect.

Please note that this is an AI-powered chatbot; it is not a human and does not have personal emotions or experiences. While it aims to offer guidance in the spirit of kindness and encouragement, it should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or personal human interaction.

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

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.

Salesian Retreats

The Salesian Center is offering two retreat opportunities for community members this year:

Advent Retreat - December 1

We will start with Sunday Mass at 10 a.m. in the Chapel with the Sisters, followed by a reflection, brunch, social time, and a second reflection to close our time together. This retreat's theme is "Woman, what concern is that to me?" We will look at Jesus' use of 'woman' when addressing His mother, as she asks for His help with the wine shortage at the Wedding Feast of Cana. We will trace the sacred role of woman and Christ's responses to our requests for help. This is a beautiful way to kick-off the Advent season, taking a few hours to allow the Holy Spirit to re-create our spirits as we enter the liturgical season of preparing for Christ to be born anew in our hearts. Stay tuned for more details - and reach out to Director of the St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center, Kati Hylden Krueger '99 for questions.
Lenten Retreat - March 2

The theme for our Lenten retreat is "Nail-less Crosses." Details are forthcoming.

Loving Life, Living Jesus Reflections

First Friday Adoration

First Friday Adoration

From 9:30 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 Kati Krueger (kati.krueger@visi.org) with any questions.

October 4
November 8*
December 6
January 10*
February 7
March 7
April 4
May 2

*second Friday due to school calendar

You are invited to sign up at www.visi.org/first-friday-signup, but please feel free to also spontaneously come and spend time in Adoration.

Salesian Lay Association for Men (SLAM)

SLAM's mission is to share Salesian Spirituality’s unique approach toward getting the most out of life as God designed it. Through monthly gatherings for Mass, Reconciliation, fellowship and Salesian conversation, current Visitation dads and fathers of alums who are attracted to the practical and optimistic spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal come together to grow in their vocation to Live Jesus!

For the last seven years Scott Troxell - father of two Visitation alums and the embodiment of Salesian optimism and hospitality - has been Visitation's SLAM leader. Starting the third Saturday of September (September 16), Georgetown Visitation’s SLAM meetings for the 2023-24 school year start up again! We join the Sisters at Mass in the Chapel at 7:30 am, then gather at 8:00 am 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 for Mass and Salesian conversation - or just one, as your schedule allows. Come to SLAM every month - or just once, as your schedule allows. Pure invitation and welcome to grow in faith and community as Salesian men!

We're excited for what the Holy Spirit has in store for this season of growth for SLAM and welcome all Visitation men - fathers, faculty, staff, Board members, Salesian friends - to participate. Contact Scott Troxell (peaceboxtrox@gmail.com) to learn more or to be added to the distribution list for SLAM meetings.

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

Fides & Scientia Speaker Series

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