"We -- the Sisters -- are engaged! We are committed."
“We’re engaged!!” was the Facebook message from a friend of mine in Mexico. Announcing this to the world through the social media? Why not? Of course! Being engaged to someone or with something should be out there for all to see.
Commitment is nothing to be taken lightly…WE — the Sisters — are engaged. Yes, you read that correctly….We ARE engaged. We are committed…
We are engaged with many people and committed to sharing our Visitation/Salesian spirituality with others. We want to insure that the ministry and mission and our way of living the Visitation charism continues here on the north side well into the future. To this end we have been exploring, praying about, formulating and putting into place a five-faceted plan of engagement. There are several ways a person may become engaged with us in our presence and ministry.
Visitation Engagement Programs
We are willing to join hands with people who are searching for God’s will in their lives. Following the Spirit is a series of evenings on discernment and sharing about how God calls and how we can listen to God’s direction. Young adult men and women, single or married can participate in this form of engagement with us. Space is limited but future sessions have been planned and interested people can see more info on our website for the series beginning in the fall…there is even a new gem added to this form of engagement!
Our first group of VIP’s (Visitation Internship Program) participants are winding down their time of service and we are currently recruiting young people who are interested in giving a year of service, either in the midst of studies or after college. Sharing prayer, meals and ministry at the monastery and in the northside community are a part of this engagement picture. Building intentional community and living together in a home near the Sisters is yet another important facet of this form of engagement. Young adults, men or women, age 21 — 35 may apply now for next fall. An application can be found on our website.
Our first applicant in our Monastic Immersion Experience spent some time with us this past week. Women, who are interested in living our contemplative lifestyle at any point in their life may consider spending 6 months to a year living, praying and ministering with us while living in the monastery. Of course, sharing domestic life with the Sisters is involved!
The Visitation Companions are a group of men and women who are interested in studying our spirituality and making a commitment to live it in their own daily life — taking it to the marketplace and wherever they may be. It is not necessary to live in north Minneapolis, but sharing prayer and ministry with the Sisters whenever possible and meeting together to share experience and develop their own sense of community is a goal. Current Companions act as mentors for people interested in this form of Visitation engagement. Currently there are about 18 Companions…talk about an 18- carat gold band!
And as our identifier says “we are looking for more visionary women to be a prayerful presence in North Minneapolis” as Vowed Members.
We are not writing our proposal to you in an airplane on a clear blue sky but know that this sincere invitation is lovingly offered to you and others you may know with open hands….won’t you put yours in ours?
