Sept. 24th- 158th anniversary of Brooklyn Visitation Monastery

Tuesday September 24th is the 158th anniversary of the foundation of the Visitation Monastery in Brooklyn, New York!

It all began in 1855.

It was the recreation hour in the Monastery of the Visitation of Baltimore during that summer. The Sisters were discussing the subject of novenas, and one remarked that she had never heard of one being made for the “Pure Glory of God.” It was decided that a novena for this laudable intention should begin at once.

A few days later an unexpected caller appeared, accompanied by his beloved Archbishop Francis Patrick Kenrick. It was the Most Reverend John Loughlin, the first Bishop of Brooklyn. The see of Brooklyn had been separated from the Archdiocese of New York only two years before, but the zealous Bishop had already brought several groups of religious to the Diocese. The Bishop wanted a foundation of the Visitation to do for his diocese what the Visitation Academies in Georgetown and Baltimore were doing for the young women there, educating them in the arts and sciences and most especially in the practice of their Catholic faith. Generous Catholics provided lodging while the first residence for the Order in Brooklyn was being made suitable for occupancy. The first Monastery was subsequently established on Lawrence Street, and the Foundation date is celebrated on September 24th.

This building proved inadequate for the dual purposes of school and convent. So, a second residence was chosen at the corner of Pearl and Johnson Streets while a search continued for a more perfect location.

Eventually, the community settled in a building on Clinton Avenue. The new locality provided greater freedom, ample space and better facilities for the students, but its distance from the old site made access by former students more difficult. Soon, large apartment houses were being built on the property surrounding the Monastery, and this affected the contemplative atmosphere of the life of the Sisters. Later, the Sisters’ health began to fail and some younger members contracted tuberculosis.

Consequently, a new site was sought and found in an unpopulated section of Brooklyn, called Bay Ridge. The new property consisted of about seven acres of land and two buildings. The Sisters admired the location, with its excellent landscaped gardens and fine trees, all of which were enhanced by a magnificent view of the Narrows, Upper New York Bay, Staten Island, and the New Jersey coast.

As the buildings were vacant for eight years, and had been previously used as a public institution, many repairs had to be made. In 1903 the Sisters took possession of the property, and this is where the Sisters of the Visitation of Brooklyn remain today.

With the help of generous benefactors, the Sisters had a beautiful chapel constructed which has served both the public, the Academy and the Sisters needs. Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this chapel has enhanced the spiritual lives of many with daily Mass and an annual novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In 1922, an enclosure wall was built and it has withstood the test of time. A lake in the center of the landscaped property is home to ducks, herons, and schools of fish, and boating for both children and nuns is an occasional exercise.

Throughout the years, the Sisters have lived a full monastic horarium with prayer as the center of their lives. Today, the Sisters share the fruit of their prayer life by teaching religion to the students while lay teachers focus on the academic subjects.

Currently the community has fifteen members, three of whom are in formation, and several candidates making vocational discernment retreats.

Living for the Glory of God, the Visitation Sisters remain open to God’s surprises, gifts and gentle leadings into the future.