We Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary are vowed women who “Live Jesus” within a monastic community for God and for God’s people.
Spirited by the openness and simplicity of our American frontier roots, we commit ourselves to follow the gentle, humble charism of our founders, Saints Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal.
Continuing our ministries of prayer and education, we seek to discern God’s will for us in the changing world.
In 1873 the Sisters of the Visitation came to the fast-growing river town of St. Paul, the capital of the young state of Minnesota. Six sisters traveled by steamship for eight days up the Mississippi from the St. Louis, Missouri, Visitation at the request of Bishop Grace. These sisters were appointed to make a new foundation and open a new school.
The new school in St. Paul opened on September 30, 1873, and enrolled twenty-nine girls ranging in age from six to eighteen years of age. The early days were difficult and filled with poverty. Through several building changes the sisters weathered financial crises, the challenges of running a modern school and cloister regulations, and the evolution of city neighborhoods.
Significant changes in the expectations and aspirations of women were seen in the following years and the Visitation school curriculum changed to meet the demands of college preparation. When the sisters looked to the suburbs for expansion, property was purchased in Mendota Heights. In 1966 the sisters moved to a new plant and eighty acres in the country. This larger facility allowed for expanded programs and enrollment.
There were also changes in religious life due to the documents of Pius XII and of Vatican II. The interpretation of cloister restrictions became broader, sisters took a more personal responsibility for their prayer life, initiative was encouraged and ecological and social justice concerns grew.
The Sisters of the Visitation in Mendota Heights are now marking over 130 years in the area and are moving into the twenty-first century, continuing to “Live Jesus,” serving God and the Church with interiority, simplicity and gentleness.
Our Life
As contemplatives we are summoned to live a conscious awareness of the presence of God. This invitation is supported by our lifestyle which calls us to praise God through Eucharistic liturgy and the Divine office, the official prayer of the Church, which we chant five times daily in community.
We have a familial structure as we share together meals, communal prayer and recreation. Each sister schedules her own time of private prayer, rest, reading, study and work. To find out more about our daily lives go to Life Today for a glimpse of events at the monastery.
