We, the Sisters of the Visitation of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, strive to “Live + Jesus” in our lives and carry Him to others. The founders of the Order of the Visitation, Saints Jane de Chantal and Francis de Sales, desired to give God “Daughters of Prayer” who would imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary both in her charity to her cousin Elizabeth at the Visitation as well as in her contemplative spirit. Along with the five other monasteries in our Federation, we attempt to be a center of gentleness and peace.
Our life of prayer overflows into the life of our school, a ministry we have supported since 1873, and embraces the full spectrum of education from early childhood and Montessori through high school. Convent of the Visitation School, with an enrollment of 600 students, provides an excellent education in a Catholic environment rooted in Salesian spirituality.
Sister Mary Dorothy with students on Halloween
Beginning in 1998, to celebrate the 125th anniversary of our foundation in Saint Paul, we collaborated with Catholic Charities to construct a sixteen unit apartment building for low income single mothers and their children. Visitation Place opened in August, 2004, and provides families with a supportive, respectful, and affordable housing opportunity. The students in our school are involved in a range of projects and parties with both the women and children at Visitation Place.
One of the basic tenets of our Salesian spirituality is its emphasis on Christian humanism, the cultivation and celebration of all that is good in human achievement. Many years ago our federation established a social justice committee, dedicated to promoting the Gospel values of compassion and respect towards all persons and the world. Our monastery has been a sponsoring community for Sisters Online since its inception in 1996. Sisters Online is a collaborative ministry; a website focusing on spirituality and justice.
We believe that our lives of prayer and community stand in contrast to the materialistic culture of modern life and witness to the world our prophetic call to live the Gospel in the humble and gentle spirit of our Visitation saints.
May God be praised in our prayer, our ministry, and our future.
