Bring God Along on Your Next Vacation

Each year, I eagerly await my vacations and count down the weeks and days as they approach. It’s a time for me to forget about my daily concerns and step outside of the schedule and never-ending list of to-dos that fill my days. For a few days, I leave behind my housework, my job, and anything that may be weighing on my mind. A vacation is a beautiful time to focus on family and relaxation so that I can come back to my daily life refreshed and revitalized.

My husband and I recently visited Montreal, Quebec for a week. We don’t have an international plan on our phones, and it was a welcomed change when we weren’t able to receive calls and texts or check into the news and social media. Living in a time where we are inundated with constant communication, we are better able to appreciate the times when we are disconnected.

I remember my family summer vacations as a child – we would pile into the van and drive out to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore, or visit Niagara Falls and the Statue of Liberty. Though we were disconnected from our normal lives, there was always one thing we didn’t leave behind for the few days we were on the road. No matter where we were, we would bring along our Faith.

One of my favorite parts of our Catholic Faith is the fact no matter where you go the faith is the same. We could go to Mass in New York City or Montreal, and it would be the same beautiful sacrament that it is back home in the Midwest. No matter the language, the words are the same. No matter the size or intricacy of the tabernacle, the Most Blessed Sacrament resides within. Visiting Catholic churches across the country and the world has given me an understanding of the universality of our faith, a blessing that many other religions do not share.

While in Montreal, my husband and I visited Notre Dame Basilica, St. Patrick’s Basilica, Mary Queen of the World Basilica, and the Oratory of Saint Joseph. Stepping into these miraculous churches were the most peaceful experiences of our vacation. We were able to take some time with Our Lord and admire the beauty of the history and intricate architecture that is found within these basilicas. When we visited the Dominican Republic on our honeymoon last year, the church we attended on Sunday was humble and we didn’t understand many of the words that the priest was saying, but it was a powerful experience to join the community in their worship of our God.

Don’t put your Faith life on hold just because you’re stepping away from your normal schedule for a week. Have some ice cream and ride a roller coaster, but don’t forget to pray before your meals and make time for whatever prayer you usually incorporate into your day. Teach your kids that even when you’re on vacation, God comes first. Wherever you go, find the closest Catholic Church. There’s a beauty in knowing that no matter where you go, there are people who share your Catholic Faith.