Upper School Community

Retreats are an integral part of the Visitation experience, helping our students grow spiritually, socially and emotionally. They are an opportunity to bring students together in an informal environment, focusing on ideas and questions that can help young people grow in faith and deepen their relationships. In the Upper School, the retreats build on each other from year to year and are a required part of the four-year curriculum.

Ninth Grade

This day-long retreat is intended to help students learn more about the Visitation Upper School experience and about Salesian Spirituality, which is the foundation of our school. Through games and community-building activities, large-group reflection and sharing, small-group discussion and prayer, students are encouraged to get to know each other better and to begin to develop themselves more fully as members of a caring community. Special emphasis is given to the importance of relationships in Salesian Spirituality and to the Salesian virtue of gentleness – both with ourselves and others. This retreat is led by Visitation seniors who are members of the Upper School Campus Ministry team.

SOPHOMORES

The sophomore class day-long retreat, also led by Senior Campus Ministers, builds on the theme of relationship from the year before. One very important aspect of Salesian spirituality is creating “heart to heart” relationships with one another and with God. This retreat focuses on the virtue of authenticity, encouraging students to let go of “masks” and to be real with each other as they work to create an atmosphere of respect and understanding. Special emphasis is given to self-reflection, as students are asked to consider their personal actions and the effects they have on themselves, others and the community.

JUNIORS

This retreat focuses on the broader theme of “Salesian Friendship” and recognizing its values in our own lives. Through games, input, reflection, discussion and prayer, students are challenged to cultivate Salesian virtues in their own lives, particularly those of courage, gentle strength and joyful optimism. The young women are encouraged to build firm foundations for their lives and personal choices, and to recognize the gifts they have to offer, all grounded in the Salesian maxim “Be who you are and be that well.” The junior class retreat is an overnight experience. The longer time together allows the class the opportunity to deal in depth with these issues, to reflect more deeply on the meaning of the Visitation experience, to work together as a class, and to socialize and have fun together.

SENIORS

The senior class has the opportunity to experience two retreats together: a two-night overnight at the beginning of the school year and another overnight in the spring. The first senior class retreat introduces the theme of “Companions on the Journey.” Based on the Emmaus story (Luke 24:13-33) and on the relationship of Mary and Elizabeth as seen in the story of the Visitation (Luke 1:39-56), this theme calls our senior women to support one another and to build a strong community based on the virtues of Salesian spirituality. Emphasis is placed on the virtues of interiority, humility and gentleness. Seniors spend considerable time in reflection and discussion, focusing on the “Visitation Be-Attitudes” (ways of being that are uniquely Salesian), and on identifying the characteristics of a Salesian leader, something all seniors are called to be. There is also time for goal-setting, games, class bonding, prayer, bonfires, one-on-one visiting, enjoying the outdoors and performing in an all-class talent show!

The senior spring retreat draws the Visitation experience to a close. Varying slightly from year-to-year based on the needs of each class, it is a chance for the girls to have one last time together, away from school and academic pressures, to reflect on their years at Visitation. This is a chance to reflect on the legacy they are leaving behind and on what they are taking with them “not for school, but for life” as they leave Visitation.