Traveling this Weekend?

This weekend, thousands of Americans will travel to vacation destinations across the country.  They travel as Mary our Lady so often did throughout her life.  Just as Mary did when she visited her beloved cousin Elizabeth, travelers this weekend begin their journeys with hope and anticipation. Some travel with some trepidation. Some seek guidance and support. Many seek protection. 

In celebration of Memorial Day travels and Tuesday’s Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you too can take Mary with you on your journey when you join Mary’s Travelers.

Mary’s Travelers is a spiritual community dedicated to Mary and her special intercession!  Mary’s Travelers invoke the protection of Christ's Mother on all their journeys.  United in their devotion to Mary, Travelers call on her to keep travelers under her divine protection.

When you join Mary’s Travelers, you become part of an online community of fellow supporters, receive special travel prayers, get discounts on Salesian books and artwork, and enjoy other benefits. 

Join Mary’s Travelers today and take Mary with you on every journey!

Magnificat    

                Luke 1:46-55                                                                
My soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
God looks on the lowliness of his servant
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy is God's name!
There is mercy from age to age,
on those who fear God,
God puts forth his arm in strength
scattering the proud-hearted;
casts the mighty from their thrones,
raising the lowly,
fills the starving with good things,
sending the rich away empty.
God protects Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our forbears,
for Abraham and his heirs for ever.
Praise the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever. Amen.

--

The Visitation Sisters

Tuesday, May 31, is the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This feast has special significance to the Salesian community because it was this event in the life of our Lady that St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal wanted to imitate and promote in the religious order that they founded. 

St. Francis de Sales envisioned a community of women who would not be bound by the rigorous rules of the religious orders of the day. Rather, the rule for the sisters of his community would be based on the bond of charity.  This group of women would focus on the little virtues of humility and gentleness toward God and neighbor. The order would be contemplative but with an active spirit.  Francis wanted the Sisters to go out among the people – caring for the poor, the sick, and the dying. 

Despite this hope of having the Sisters combine prayer with an exterior ministry, Francis and Jane eventually had to follow the directives from the Vatican.  At the time, Rome did not permit women religious to go out among the people.  As a result, the community was established in 1615 as a traditional cloistered religious order.  However, founders Francis and Jane decided to keep their original name, the “Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary.”   

The Order spread from France throughout Europe and eventually to the Americas.  Today there are 150 Visitation monasteries throughout the world.  The mystery of the Visitation centers on Mary responding to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and setting out on a mission of charity.  The Sisters continue to keep alive this spirit:  a spirit of gentleness and strength, a spirit of humility and harmony.  

As we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation may we too strive to imitate the devotion of Mary in seeing everyone as our brother and sister and bringing God’s love and presence to our corner of the world.