This year Visitation monasteries throughout the world are commemorating the 400th anniversary of the foundation of their order, The Visitation of Holy Mary. The Jubilee Year opened on January 24 ,feast day of St Francis de Sales, and will close on December 13, death of St. Jane de Chantal. On June 6th, the actual date of the foundation, monasteries will celebrate the joyful occasion with special liturgies and events.

 In honor of this worldwide Jubilee Year, Pope Benedict XVI has granted a plenary indulgence to those who make a visit to and pray in a Visitation monastery in 2010.

 The Second Federation of the Visitation in the US commissioned "The Visitation, a Monastic way of Life in the Church," a new book for the occasion. This hardcover book includes brief biographies of the two founders, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, fascinating information and many illustrations. Order your copy at http://www.visitationmonastery.org 

The St. Francis de Sales Association in the USA joins in the Jubilee celebration by offering an original reflection by one of our associates in Virginia, St. Francis de Sales and the Visitation: A Reflection on the Second Joyful Mystery