On this day, November 21, the Feast of the Presentation, the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary throughout the world , renew our vows each year during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as an act of fidelity to our loving God and our witness in the Church.
What a special gift to us this year to also unite with Pope Francis and all contemplative communities throughout the world on this day of prayer for the “Contemplative Life in the Church”.
Our Founder, St. Francis de Sales often preached on this Feast of the Presentation. He also established it as the day that we renew our vows. He said, “It is fitting that every year religious should have a special feast on the day of their dedication to God and of their entrance into religion. In our Order we have selected this most appropriate feast of the Presentation of Our Lady on which to renew our resolutions,to present and offer ourselves to the Divine Majesty under her protection,uniting our own offering she made of herself to God.
This commemoration of our vows is made principally to strengthen our fervor, to renew our promises and to reaffirm our good resolutions.
We come with our glorious Lady and under her protection to place all our affections on the altar of the Temple of the Divine Goodness in order that, without reserve, they may be burned and consumed by the fire of His burning charity.”
Source: St Francis de Sales, Sermon, 1617
and from our St. Jane de Chantal Gallery Community:
http://visitationgallerycommunity.org/2013/11/feast-of-the-presentation-of-our-lady/