Visitation Monastery of Mobile
The Visitation Order was founded in 1610 in Annecy, France, by Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane Frances de Chantal. It is a cloistered order, committed to an apostolate of prayer and characterized by a spirit of humility and gentleness. There are no severe corporal penances such as fasts, long periods of prayer at night, sleeping on boards, and so forth. Because of the lack of external austerities, a greater emphasis is placed upon purity of intention, charity, patience, and control of one's inclinations, self-will, and feelings. It is a life "hidden with Christ in God" and quite ordinary in the eyes of men. They pray the Divine Office, observe papal enclosure, wear the traditional habit, and live the common life which consists of praying, working, recreating and eating together. They supply altar breads to parishes in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, and operate a retreat house whose facilities are used by men, women, and young people for retreats, workshops, meetings, and days of recollection.
Contact:
Sr. Margaret Mary Rumpf V.H.M.
Vocation Director
2300 Spring Hill Ave.
Mobile, AL 36607
251-473-2321
visitationmonasterymobile.org/
Professed Members: 10 Professed; 3 Temporarily vowed; 3 Novices; 1 Transfer; 1 postulant; 2 Aspirants
Year Founded: 1832
Federation: First Federation of North America
Diocese: Mobile, AL
Qualifications: EDUCATION - At least completion of high school, and preferably a couple of years of college or work experience. HEALTH - Reasonably good physical, mental, and emotional health; sufficient stamina to bear the burdens and carry out the duties of the religious state. SPIRITUAL - Practicing Catholic, baptized and confirmed; frequent reception of the Sacraments; an attraction for prayer and spiritual reading; a desire to serve God and others, an appreciation of the value of self-sacrifice, humility, and gentleness; and a desire to sanctify one's life through the practice of poverty, chastity, and obedience lived in community.
Formation: The first step of formation is candidacy/aspirancy followed by time as a novice and in temporary vows. Formation concludes with perpetual vows.
Age range/limit: 18+
Belated vocations? Yes.