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.
