St. Francis de Sales
“The virtue of devotion is neither more nor less than a general inclination and promptitude of spirit to do what we know is pleasing to God.”
Copyright © 2023 MARYFIELD VISITATION MONASTERY. All Rights Reserved.
Sister Patricia was born in Bogota, Colombia with a background of database
development (IT). She came from sunny south Florida to enter our Community in 2021.
Though a very petite person, it is hard to believe that she is an army veteran. Sister has a
lovely voice, having once belonged to a choir at her Parish. She became a Novice on the
Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2022. On that day, she had the joy of
meeting a newly ordained Deacon for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, only to find that his
spiritual director was her former Pastor. It was a confirmation and sign of her vocation.
Sister works in the Altar Bread department & Sister has a great interest to learn to play
the guitar.
Sister Patricia was born in Bogota, Colombia with a background of database
development (IT). She came from sunny south Florida to enter our Community in 2021.
Though a very petite person, it is hard to believe that she is an army veteran. Sister has a
lovely voice, having once belonged to a choir at her Parish. She became a Novice on the
Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2022. On that day, she had the joy of
meeting a newly ordained Deacon for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, only to find that his
spiritual director was her former Pastor. It was a confirmation and sign of her vocation.
Sister works in the Altar Bread department & Sister has a great interest to learn to play
the guitar.
Sister Linda is a Novice who will be making her 1 st Vows this year on March 19, 2023.
Sister is an R.N., and is a Navy veteran. Sister spent several years in a discalced
Carmelite Community, but left, married and had 3 children. She has not only nursing
skills but she is also gifted to repair mechanical or plumbing problems in the Monastery.
She now works in the Wardrobe making and repairing the Habits, as well as cooking,
gardening. She coordinates the music for the Mass as well as the schedule for the
Liturgy of the Hours.
Sister Mary Grace was born in Missouri, but lived most her life in Hemet, California.
Sister worked as a surgical nurse in a hospital for42 years .She was married and had
three children. She cared for her aged mother till she was 104 before entering our
Monastery. Sister made a retreat at Holy Spirit Monastery in Conyers which eventually
lead her to Visitation Monastery.. Sister Mary Grace pronounced her Solemn Vows on
May 31, 2022. On that day, she had the joy of having a young Priest from Hemet who
concelebrated the Mass. Prior to her entrance, Sister used to lead the Holy Rosary in her
parish where the future priest daily attended Holy Mass. Sister is in charge of the Altar
Bread department, and serves in many other capacities. She is a prayer warrior, and has
a huge sense of humor.
Sister Josefa Maria is a native of Quebec, Canada, being the last Sister from the
Monastery in Atlanta, where she entered in 1968 at the age of 20. Sister celebrated her
Golden Jubilee of Profession in August,2020 Sister is Assistant Superior to Mother
Teresa Maria. Sister Josefa Maria enjoys teaching as Mistress of Novices; as well as
gardening, guitar and art, especially ceramics. She loves to make rosaries.
Sister Mary Louis is a native of Mankato, Minnesota. She was a high school teacher,
then instructor of basic skills at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center; a work which
she enjoyed very much, as the young men were so motivated. She helped them to
achieve their dream of being accepted into the Navy. Sister was happily married had one
daughter, who passed away in 2008. Sister was a Benedictine Oblate at St.Benedict’s
Abbey in Wisconsin. When her husband died in 2012, she entered our Monastery of
Mobile, Alabama. She then transferred to our Monastery in January of 2022. Sister
Mary Louis is Assistant Novice Mistress, as well as Proc, librarian, seamstress, always
ready to serve. Sister always sees the positive in any situation, which is such gift for
everyone.
Sister Mary Peter comes from Long Island, New York, although she was born in Canada.
She was a beautician before her entrance into the Monastery. Sister has worked in the
kitchen, Host Room, linen room, laundry, and taking care of the dogs, as well as working
on the grounds. She is a great gift to the Community by her prayer, her joyful spirit
despite her many handicaps, and especially her delightful simplicity.
Sister Thiennga is originally from Vietnam. She wanted to enter a Monastery at 13 there,
but was told she was too young. After the Communists take over her father lost his job
and when her father passed away, her mother came to the US. The Sister had to remain
in Vietnam for several years till she could rejoin her mother in Georgia. She worked as
an accountant, until she heard the call to enter again, and was delighted to find an Order
that would accept older vocations. She is the assistant Sacristan, and works hard to keep
our altar linens and vestments clean and freshly pressed. She loves to draw pictures of
saints for children. She is so happy that she will be pronouncing her First Vows on
March 19 ,2023.
Mother Teresa Maria Kulangara is the Superior of the Monastery at Maryfield. She
succeeded Mother Mary Jane Frances Williams. Mother Teresa Maria is a native of
Kerala, India. She is a Pharmacist with experience working in hospital as well as retail.
Mother Teresa Maria first entered the monastery as a postulant for nearly a year in
2000, but left to further discern her calling. She reentered in 2005 and professed her
final vows on August 7, 2011. Mother Teresa is a very kind and gentle person, always
joyful in her vocation. When she was elected Superior, she remarked that if she had
known that she would ever be Superior, she would never have chosen the name Teresa,
because everyone would expect so much, since Mother Teresa of Calcutta is so well
known and loved! But of course, we do!
“Oh my dear daughters, you who call this Virgin your Mother, daughters of the Visitation of Our Lady, to imitate her virtues of humility and charity, the two great virtues which made her go out on her visitation” Essentially, the spirit of the Visitation is a spirit of love. He desired that a daughter of our Blessed Lady, she should belong to God, as she did, to accomplish all He wills.
A Desert experience Within the Cloister At present, we are offering retreats only for those interested in possibly joining our Community. We have in the past offered retreats for women who wish to spend some days in the silence of the cloister, sharing our life of prayer, and experiencing the peace of being in a house of God – perhaps soon we may be able to resume doing so in the future.
On the 1st Sunday of each month, the members of the Guard of Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, assemble with the Sisters, in our Monastery Chapel at 4:00 pm, followed by Holy Hour. Deacon Michael Mobley gives his reflections, leads the prayers, and concludes with Benediction. The intention of the Holy Hour is to console the wounded Heart of Jesus, by offering Him threefold homage of glory, love, and reparation.
Background and history
It was founded by a Visitation Nun, Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart Bernaud of the Monastery in Bourg, France in 1863. With her great love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she wanted to find a way in which ordinary people could draw closer to Christ’s Heart in their daily activities. In this way, ordinary actions could be sanctified, and a gift of love made to the Heart of Christ.
Sister Marianne worked in the mental health field immediately after college, then practiced law, and finally worked for nearly 20 years in a college library and managed the college archives. She plays the organ for us, works as needed in the library and the computer room, helps with liturgy planning and writing material for the web, and enjoys doing needlework & crochet.