A Day in the Life..A Visitation Sister’s Afternoon

The tower bell is ringing the Angelus as we Sisters slowly proceed towards the refectory for the main meal at noon, where we recite the Angelus in unison as well as prayers before meals.

During the weekdays, except on major holidays or Feasts, we eat in silence for half of the mealtime as we listen to spiritual reading by one of the Sisters, nourishing our souls and spirits. We listen to an excerpt of our Constitutions, a biblical reflection on the daily Mass readings and then a longer excerpt from the book that the Superior has chosen. Recently we completed the new book St Francis de Sales, Life and Spirit by Fr Joe Boenzi SDB which was filled with enlightening information and very well written.http://www.dspt.edu/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=598&ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=778&PageID=544

After the  morning of silence and this spiritual input, we also then have time to speak with one another  at the second half of the noon meal, reflecting on what we have  just heard read and  other  table conversation, bonding us closer as a  community and serving as our afternoon recreation period.

Daytime prayer follows after the cleanup which extends our recreation a little.

Already half a day spent consciously in the Lord’s presence has passed.Before  daytime prayer we review the morning, making a short examen of conscience and savoring the thought of the anticipated afternoon with Him.

Then we enter into the afternoon silence. The hours  weave around our charges and spiritual exercises; perhaps a little rest, a half hour of spiritual reading or lectio divina from Scripture of a spiritual book; a contemplative walk in our terraced gardens, perhaps a letter written, morning chores completed, or a special devotion prayed.

At 3 Pm several Sisters who are devoted to the Divine Mercy gather in choir to pray the Chaplet.

The novitiate meets for its class, which is varied and currently includes Scripture, the writings of our Founders, study of the Divine Office and the Sacred Heart devotion. This is another opportunity for the novitiate to share their spiritual insights and yearnings among themselves and for guidance by the formator. Becoming a Vistandine is a graced process and the gentle assurance of the Professed Sisters support each one. Our classes are informal but depthful.

After class our souls meet the Lord in an intense way as we expose the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration. This heart to heart encounter is healing and transformative in a unique way to each one of us. It is a special custom of the Brooklyn Visitation Monastery since Sept. 11, 2001, when we gathered to intensify our prayer life after the tragedy of that day.

We include praying the Rosary together during the adoration period, which is optional prayer time yet attended by most Sisters. Evening Prayer follows.

Next: Evening and Night