~ LIVE WELL ~ PRAY WELL ~ LOVE WELL

A Place For Sacred Learning And Becoming

“The goal of our instruction is love [which springs] from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
— 1 Timothy 1:5

Our Inspiration

The School of the Visitation is an online school of formation and spiritual direction designed SPECIFICALLY for women who are looking for a deeper spirituality. The teachings are in line with the Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal – who co-founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary.

The term Visitation recalls the meeting between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, as can be read in the gospel of Luke.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Visitation spirituality is its emphasis on the Love of God and how to become one with this Love.

Loving well is the ultimate goal in the Visitation spirituality. This goal is met not through harsh and rigid prayer exercises, but rather through a soft entering of God’s heart in daily prayer and encounters with others. This love is mostly lived in community through the “little virtues” — gentleness, humility, kindness, patience, simplicity, and meekness. These virtues are not dramatic, but they are transformative.

This kind of living was summarized in the well-known “slogan” of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal – “LIVE JESUS”.

What We Offer

The purpose of the School of the Visitation is to teach the mind and form the heart by offering two main services: 

  • School of Spiritual Formation (for the growth of individuals)

  • School of Spiritual Direction (for training spiritual mothers)

We also offer the services mentioned in the next column.

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  • A two-year program for Spiritual Formation, specifically designed for women

  • A one-year program for those who want to become certified as Spiritual Mothers (Spiritual Directors) in the Salesian Tradition

  • Programs and live courses in which we meet with others on Zoom in sessions led by Simone

  • Self-guided video courses in which you learn on your own schedule

  • Various means to learn that are found on this website

  • Online discussions of spiritual classics throughout the ages

  • We are planning to form a group of women who meet online for mutual spiritual growth.

  • In-person retreats held at church settings in Ontario

  • Contact Simone personally.

[Please return to this page for our introductory video.]

Our Teaching Style

We aim for true interior transformation on the part of our students and directees.

How is this achieved?

The teaching units at the School of the Visitation are closely aligned with the movements of the soul. Learning unfolds in a way true to Catholic spiritual direction, offered within a structured, course-based setting created especially for women.

Everything you learn on an informational level is immediately linked with the state of your soul. This lays the foundation to integrate the teaching you receive to allow an inner transformation.

Our spiritual formation and direction leads you to deeper longing for holiness and understanding of God and self.

Teaching begins with general concepts, and these concepts are gently integrated with the dispositions of your heart and your relationship with God.

Our unique approach allows new insights to deeply take root, leading to authentic inner change.

What Transformation Can Be Expected?

The most common fruit of this journey is a profoundly deepened love for God.

Throughout the courses at School of the Visitation, both love for God and the obstacles that hinder that love are prayerfully brought into the light and applied to daily life. These themes are addressed repeatedly, with care and discernment, in a truly Catholic spirit.

A new awareness of God’s personal love for you motivates you to deepen your life of holiness.

A renewed prayer life, along with a life of surrender and intentional love, naturally flows from loving God — and from allowing yourself to be loved by Him.

A Deeper Relationship with God

Whether you participate in our live video sessions, engage with our self-paced courses, share in our prayerful community of women, or take part in our other services, you will be accompanied, supported, and invited into a deeper relationship with God — one that touches every area of your life.