The Order of the Visitation

I N the summer of 1610, three centuries ago, the Order of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary was founded in Savoy. It may be considered justly as the joint creation of two great saints, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal, although according to the depositions made by the latter during the process of canonisation of the former and many times repeated, the holy Bishop of Geneva, Saint Francis de Sales alone was always regarded as the true founder by the first religious of the Order. As might be expected, the work thus begun by these two heroic souls under God's inspiration was from the first blessed by Him in a remarkable way. Like the grain of mustard seed in the Gospel parable, which from being the least of all seeds grew to a tree in whose branches the birds of the air found shelter, the humble beginnings made in the little house of La Galerie at Annecy, in Savoy, prospered and spread till its branches now flourishing in all parts of the world afford shelter to those who seek to serve God according to the wise and broad-minded legislation which so admirably reflects the spirit of the two saintly founders. To understand the secret attraction which the houses of the Visitation Order exercise over the minds of those who have received God's call to serve Him according to this special fornl of religious life, it is necessary to know something of the origin of the Order, and to appreciate the supernatural principles which animated St. Francis de Sales and his spiritual daughter, St. Jane Frances, and which are reflected in it.