A Visitandine’s day flows in the grace and Providence of God, as moment to moment she lovingly remains united to the depths of Christ’s Heart in all she does.
Each change of occupation is directed by an intention. The Spiritual Directory states:
They who wish to thrive and advance in the way of Our Lord should, at the beginning of their actions, both exterior and interior, ask for his grace and offer to his divine Goodness all the good they will do. In this way they will be prepared to bear with peace and serenity all the pain and suffering they will encounter as coming from the fatherly hand of our good God and Savior. His most holy intention is to have them merit by such means in order to reward them afterwards out of the abundance of his love.
They should not neglect this practice in matters which are small and seemingly insignificant, nor even if they are engaged in those things which are agreeable and in complete conformity with their own will and needs, such as drinking, eating, resting, recreating and similar actions. By following the advice of the Apostle, everything they do will be done in God’s name to please him alone.
After breakfast, the Visitation Sister of Brooklyn begins the work that she has received through obedience from the Superior and/or Novice Directress, putting all into the Hands of the Lord.
Calmly and serenely with prayer in her heart she goes to the location of her “charge”. That may mean simply remaining in the refectory to spend the morning clearing the breakfast tables and cleaning the area, stocking up on food items and all that goes into keeping it suitable for dining.
The spiritual element of this manual task underlies all she does. Eachtable washed can be united to the intentions for every restaurant worker’s soul, for example. Or she can unite with the Blessed Virgin in spirit who did many a household task in her lifetime at Nazareth.
Another special employment is sacristy work. This precious charge of handling the Sacred Vessels, preparing vestments for Mass, and cleaning the Chapel and Choir close to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is surrounded by His tangible Presence within a deep silence.
A Sister may also be sent to the laundry, to wash all the cloths from various parts of the Monastery.
She may be involved in financial department, or other forms of clerical work, or in the library.
The needs of the Sisters in the Infirmary are paramount and a compassionate Sister may be privileged to spend time assisting the Sisters there, preparing medications and consoling or praying with Sisters no longer able to attend the Liturgy of the Hours daily.
Gardening is a treasured employment, which is usually done after the main charge is completed.
These examples are only a few of the ways a Sister may spend her morning in the Monastery.
A Sister who is qualified may spend part of her morning in Visitation Academy, our elementary school, sharing her faith and teaching religion with the precious souls of young girls from Nursery through 8th grade, preparing the next generation to know, love and serve Our Lord.
Of course, Sister does not keep “silence” while in the Academy!
Soon, the time will approach for gathering in the choir again, at 1130AM, for the Office of Readings. When the Monastery’s tower bell rings 12 times, the Sisters promptly obey the voice of the Lord and go to the choir. The bell, ringing out over the neighborhood of Bay Ridge, reminds people who are attentive that the Sisters are praying and that they too can cast their souls into God.
The Sisters, coming from every direction in the Monastery, form two rows on either side in the choir and alternately recite the holy psalms. The readings are taken from Scripture and Saints’ spiritual writings . They feed the soul just before the dinner at Noon, which will nourish the body.
Next: Afternoon in the Monastery
