Welcome to Newest Visitation Companion: Ms. Jody Tigges

*A Visitation Embrace: Sr. Suzanne and Jody Tigges

Posted by Melissa Borgmann-Kiemde, Vis Companion

On Monday, January 24, 2011, the Visitation Sisters of North Minneapolis, along with their lay community, welcomed the newest Visitation Companion, Ms. Jody Tigges. On this Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales, and in this 400th anniversary year of our order’s founding,  we celebrated the commitment Jody Tigges is making to this community; we celebrate and honor her fervent prayers and attention to “Live + Jesus!” in accordance with our Salesian charism.

To hear more from Jody about her journey discerning a commitment to Salesian Spirituality and choosing to become a Visitation Companion, read on:

Why did I choose to become a Vis Companion? – Response from Jody Tigges

Why did I choose to become a Vis Companion?  That was the most recent assignment given to me by my mentor/companion and spiritual director [Sr.] Suzanne [Homeyer].  A short, simple-looking question with no short or simple answer.  I will try to paraphrase here.

Attentive to the Call: Sr. Katherine, Vis Companion, Kim Jakus, Sr. Karen

Salesian Spirituality chose me long before I had ever even heard what it was, and long before I met Sr. Katherine at a Discernment Series in 2005.  I had gone to the discernment series with a short list of things I was going to discern, Salesian Spirituality was not on my list.  I was intrigued by ‘something’ that Sr. Katherine had about her, some presence, and I wanted to find my version of that something. (Imagine Bumblebee on a nectar overdose meets serene, peaceful looking nun.) I didn’t know much about the ‘Nunz in the Hood’ or Salesian Spirituality, but that night I began my first step of finding out more.

"I choose to answer the call"

Vis Companions has not been some goal or benchmark for me; rather it is a natural extension of being called to explore my spirituality and to share my own unique gifts and talents with others so as to fully live out that spirituality. It isn’t a destination but a continuous journey and a renewal of commitment each day to living my spirituality. I choose to become a Vis Companion to answer the call, because it is just that – a call; a call for me to deepen my spirituality, to be in relationship with the Vis Sisters, to work side-by-side with the neighbors, to bring awareness of the work the Nuns do on the north side, and to be what God has made me in all of my complex and blessed humanity.

“I choose to become a Vis Companion to answer the call: a call for me to deepen my spirituality, to be in relationship with the Vis Sisters, to work side-by-side with the neighbors, to bring awareness of the work the Nuns do on the north side, and to be what God has made me in all of my complex and blessed humanity.” – Jody Tigges, Vis Companion

Fellow Vis Companion: Leo Johnson

In trying to find a focus for my study, it soon became apparent to me that simplicity was my first step, my foundation so to speak. I realized that clutter, too many things, and too much busy-ness were blocks to my ability to fully hear and heed the voice of God, which in turn blocks all other areas. By choosing simplicity, I now have a firm foundation on which to practice the other virtues of Salesian Spirituality.

In choosing to become a Vis Companion, I am choosing to say YES to the next step in my spirituality, the next step on my journey. The call is gift, the call is sacred, I am blessed. It feels like coming home.

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* All photos taken by Phil Soucheray, Visitation Companion.