From ZENIT:
Benedict XVI Offers Tips for Summer Holidays
Father Lombardi Summarizes Pontiff’s Suggestions
VATICAN CITY, JULY 24, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is offering some tips on how to live one’s summer holiday, says a Vatican spokesman.
On the most recent edition of Vatican Television’s “Octava Dies,” Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi spoke of the “brief but important suggestions” that the Pope has made over the past few weeks about vacation.
“First of all, [the Pope] invited those of us who can, to use our vacation time in a way that helps renew our relationships with others and with God,” said Father Lombardi. “Interrupting the hectic and frantic pace of daily life, we can take time to dedicate ourselves to others and to God.
“The Pope even suggested we include a copy of the Sacred Scriptures in our suitcase. He also invited us to contemplate the greatness, and admire the beauty, of creation around us, recognizing in it the wonderful presence of the Creator.”
“We need to observe this magnificent gift,” Father Lombardi said, paraphrasing Benedict XVI, “with the same attention Jesus did. He knew how to interpret the language and signs of Creation, which is a gift we must respect, protect and care for, in the name of God, humanity and future generations.”
“Finally, Pope Benedict suggested that pilgrims and travelers apply their intelligence and curiosity to discovering the monuments of the past — witnesses of culture and faith, as he called them, examples of our spiritual roots and heritage,” the priest said. “Cathedral and abbeys, in particular, are places where beauty helps us feel the presence of God and inspires us to pray for the rest of humanity, on its pilgrimage through the Third Millennium.
“The enjoyment of friendship, reading, nature and culture helps to nourish and restore our spirit. It gives us the strength to continue our journey refreshed and renewed.”
Loading ...
“The Pope even suggested we include a copy of the Sacred Scriptures in our suitcase.”
Or the app on our iPad.
Summer Holiday? Vacation? What are those things?
Oh Well, I DO have the scriptures on my iphone, so I guess I am at least following the Holy Father’s direction in some way.
Still don’t really understand that vacation / holiday thing though!
Lovely advice, but who goes on holiday in this economic climate? Everyone I know is cutting way back and I myself have not had a summer hols in years. Still, the advice is good and applies. We do need some time for friendship and refreshment. I suggest a retreat at a monastery or enclosed convent.
Anytime I go out of town I try to visit a Catholic church which is unique to my ordinary.
Thus, last week it was Sunday Mass at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu, Oahu, HI and a Wednesday morning service (my birthday) at St Raphael’s, in Koloa, Kauai, HI.
And I agree with the Scriptures on iPad, plus reading Fr Z on a twice daily basis.
Scripture on iPad is good.
So are the apps “iPieta” and “breviary pro sancta terra”. iPieta has parallel Vulgate and Douay.
And specifically for traveling Catholics, you have The Catholic Directory’s Mass Times app, plus mass times.org. Both very helpful in finding out Where and When.
And if you use an iPad rather than an iPhone, those “Old Biddies” are less likely to think that you’re texting or checking your email in church.