You know what’s coming soon—school will be out, weather will warm up, summer activities and sports and vacations begin. It’s a fun yet crazy time of year as we’re thrown off our regular schedules and routines for a few months. But here’s what I challenge you to do—keep your faith an active and thriving part of your life.
When we’re on vacation or summer break, good habits tend to slide a bit. But here’s the thing about Jesus: He doesn’t take up any room in your luggage! It might take a little extra effort and time to stay close to Him in prayer and the sacraments when you’re sleeping in late or soaking up the sun, but that little sacrifice will be well worth it. Here are a few tips to help keep your faith thriving during the summer months:
- Get to Mass on vacation! Remember, vacation isn’t a valid excuse for skipping Holy Mass. Find a Catholic Church wherever you’ll be traveling to, look up the Mass times ahead of time, and schedule Sunday Mass (or even daily Mass) into your itinerary. Isn’t it beautiful that the universal Catholic Church can be found just about anywhere you go? Even if you’re traveling abroad, take the opportunity to enjoy Mass in another language.
- Schedule the sacraments into your week. Maybe you have a busy summer schedule full of the kids’ sports, camping trips, and afternoons at the pool, or maybe you like to take time to relax on those lazy summer days. Either way, I challenge you to pick a time for Mass, Adoration, and Confession and commit to going at the same time every week. Creating a habit of spending time with the Lord will carry over into autumn when everyone is back to their normal routines.
- Pray outdoors. If you live in a climate with extra cold winters, you probably don’t get outside to pray your evening Rosary during the frigid months of the year. As the weather warms up, now is a great opportunity to take our prayer with us as we enjoy God’s creation. Pray the Rosary while you take a walk, or bring your Bible study out onto the deck. Pray with your family as you sit around a campfire. Being outside can really stir up gratitude in our souls for the many incredible things He has made.
- Make Jesus the destination. If you’re feeling up for a road trip, why not plan an adventure to a local (or not-so-local) church, shrine, or holy site. And don’t be afraid to stop at any Catholic churches you spot along the way. There are so many new places and hidden gems to explore. You’ll not only get to visit an inspiring place with people you love, but you’ll also get lots of extra time with Jesus. Win-win!
And here’s a bonus suggestion: take a spiritual book with you! Whether you’re going to the beach, taking a road trip, or lounging in the backyard, choose a great book that will uplift your heart and strengthen your soul.
Every good book needs a beautiful bookmark, right? Here’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss, and it’s available today only, Monday May 11th. When you make a gift of $25/month, you will receive the Our Lady of Guadalupe One-Decade Rosary Bookmark. This beautiful metal bookmark is engraved with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe as well as the Relevant Radio mission. It comes with a detachable one-decade Rosary, making it the perfect prayer companion for your spiritual reading.
Quantities of this very special premium are limited and available TODAY ONLY. Don’t miss the chance to support the Relevant Radio mission and receive this stunning gift.
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