A Day in the Life of a Brooklyn Visitation Nun

     We are beginning a short series in which we will share the spirituality, prayer and responsibilities in the day of a life of a Visitation Sister.  We hope it gives you a glimpse of the beauty of a soul called by and dedicated to the Lord, and the precious uniqueness of the Visitation way of life.

     The Visitation Order was founded across the ocean in Savoy, now Annecy, France in 1610 and a foundation was made in Brooklyn in 1855, the Monastery nestling into the borough as a precious pearl . Today this pearl glows with prayer within the City of New York, still hidden from many, but discovered by some.

Early Morning

5/5:30AM

     Perhaps the sun has not yet crossed the horizon, if it is winter,

 or maybe it is joyfully breaking through the clouds bordering the not too distant Verrazano Bridge, if it is summer.

Whatever the season, it is time for the Visitandine to awake, and as our Spiritual Directory says, “First of all on awakening, the Sisters are to direct their minds completely to God by some holy thought such as the following:

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that on the last day I will rise again. My God, grant that this be to eternal glory; this hope rests in my inmost being (Job 19:25-26).

They will make these holy aspirations or others which the Holy Spirit may suggest, for she has freedom to follow his inspirations.

They will make the morning exercise, adoring Our Lord from the depths of their being and thanking him for all his benefits. In union with the loving offering which the Savior made of himself to his eternal Father on the tree of the cross, they will offer him their heart, it’s affections and resolutions, and their whole being, and beg for his help and blessing. They will greet our Lady and ask for her blessing, as well as that of their guardian angel and holy patrons. If they wish, they may say the Our Father. All this should be done quickly and briefly.

As they begin to dress, they will make the sign of the cross and say:

Cover me, Lord, with the cloak of innocence and the robe of love. My God, do not let me appear before you stripped of good works. “

The Visitation novices, the formator, the Superior and other Sisters make their way downstairs

to the choir of our Sacred Heart Chapel, to spend an hour in silent meditation before Our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. What happens there between the Sisters’ soul and God? That is their secret.

She may use the Holy Scriptures to meditate especially on that day’s Mass readings, but eventually she will be drawn as our Foundress, St Jane de Chantal said, into the prayer of simple unity. St Jane Said, I  clearly recognize that our Lord leads nearly all the Daughters of the Visitation to the prayer of simple unity, and simple abiding in the presence of God, by an entire abandonment of themselves to His holy will, and to the care of Divine Providence.

Morning prayer with the entire community follows morning meditation.Here we chant the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours, to a chant composed by Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB, especially for the Visitation Order in the USA.

The Sister raises her soul to God and with that is also raised the world, special intentions, the Diocese of Brooklyn and the frenetic world of NYC, especially  those traveling to work on the subway and bus.

Does a New Yorker ascending to his employment in a rapidly rising elevator in a skyscraper or business office realize that a Sister is praying for him or her? Perhaps not, but she does so, day after day.

Our Spiritual Directory advises us :”It is especially recommended that they show simplicity and readiness in praying the Liturgy of the Hours. Each time they begin, they should place themselves in the presence of God and, in imitation of St. Bernard, ask themselves what they are about to do.

Before beginning the Liturgy of the Hours, they will stir up in themselves similar affections. Then, after the act of adoration, they will offer this action to our Lady and Mother and for the salvation of all creation. When they say:

O God, come to my assistance,

they should think that Our Lord answers:

Be attentive to my love.

In order to maintain the proper respect and attention, they should consider from time to time what an honor and privilege it is for them to perform here on earth the same role the angels and saints fulfill in heaven, and that they are praising the same Lord whose majesty makes the highest seraphim tremble.”

Holy Mass follows.

We are blessed to be served by priests of our local parish, St. Patrick’s of Bay Ridge, as well as the Pastor of Sacred Heart/St Stephen in Carroll Gardens and the Redemptorist priests.

And in the sacrifice the Sister offers herself completely to God the Father every day.

Saint Francis de Sales, our Founder, said  of Holy Mass that it is the soul of all devotion.

After her  deep thanksgiving after Holy Communion, the Sisters bow and greet one another as they exit the choir to go to breakfast  with the words  God be praised and  Good morning dear Sister

And make their way promptly to the Refectory . Breakfast is eaten in silence, so as to continue the interior discourse with the Lord, who grants strength and grace for the day ahead.

Our Directory suggests, “They should not go to the refectory merely to eat, but to obey God and to take part in a community exercise.

If some tend to be too particular or too eager in eating, they should, upon entering the refectory, make a firm resolution and invoke the grace and help of Our Lord to courageously exercise self-control.

They should never leave the table without having denied themselves in some way. Nevertheless, they ought to eat without hesitation or objection any foods given them for their well-being. With a spirit of indifference they are to accept from the hand of the Lord what they like as well as what they do not like, be it food or anything else.”

Fortified in body, soul and spirit, the Visitation Nun is ready for the day ahead!

Next:  Morning Work