For us at THE VISITATION, we take the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth as our model for spiritual formation and spiritual direction.
As seen in Luke 1:39-56
THE VISITATION has its focus primarily on the spiritual formation of women. However, we also provide spiritual nourishment for priests, as Zachariah the priest, and husband of Elizabeth, likewise experienced God’s healing during the visitation of Mary.
THE VISITATION invites women, through courses, retreats and spiritual direction, to experience the presence and goodness of GOD and, out of that renewed conviction of His love, to enter into a deeper relationship with God.
This deepened relationship with GOD is marked by praise. Praise can manifest in itself in words, but also through lives that are surrendered and lived to the glory of God.
THE VISITATION also helps women through spiritual direction to find their identity and vocational calling, just as both Elizabeth and Mary understood their unique human role in the kingdom of God through their encounters with God.
THE VISITATION invites and teaches women to live a life with the virtues of humility and obedience in the presence of Holy Joy.
THE VISITATION has a specific value for spiritual direction, especially as St. Francis de Sales taught and lived it. In the Bible text of Mary’s visitation, we learn how Mary helped Elizabeth to see spiritual truth clearly, simply by letting the love and wisdom of GOD speak through her. Mary also stayed three months with Elizabeth, helping her to grow into the truth Elizabeth was experiencing. These two movements, “speaking spiritual truth” and “accompanying someone until they see the fruit of their calling,” can be seen as the cornerstone of our spiritual direction.
