We, the Sisters of the Visitation, are vowed contemplative women called like Mary to glorify and serve God through “profound humility toward God and great gentleness toward the neighbor” in a monastic way of life given to us by Saints Jane de Chantal and Francis de Sales.

Our community, founded from American roots by frontier women, has developed with simplicity, openness and common sense, and is dedicated to ministries of prayer and education.

We need the mercy of God, the support of the Church, and a prayerful environment in which we may be graciously present to ourselves, to one another, and to those we serve.

We hope to continue to discern and respond to God’s will in a changing world, to “Live Jesus,” and to grace and be graced by God’s people.

ROOTED IN LOVE

At the dawn of our fifth century as an Order, we Sisters of the Visitation of the Second Federation find our strength through the power of the Spirit to LIVE JESUS as we face the challenges of our uncertain future.

In a spirit of deep faith, we view our current state of diminishment in the light of God’s good pleasure and embrace it with unshakable confidence in God’s providence.

As we move forward in the bright darkness of our present, we value the wisdom of our elders and welcome the aspirations of our newer members. We are grateful for the love, gifts and hope which the laity share with us as we collaborate in mutuality and respect.

We rededicate ourselves to live the gentleness and humility of the Heart of Jesus and the radical faith of Mary in the mystery of the Visitation.

We sing Mary’s song of praise and justice with joyful confidence!

RESPONDING IN HOPE

In response to our Vision Statement 2008-2014, we will engage in a sustained discernment by

Deepening our prayer life

Strengthening our community life

Promoting vocations to our communities

Fostering alternate forms of membership

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.

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.