Discovery and Prayer : Summer Activities for Catholic Families

The summer holidays are a great time for Catholic families to recharge their spiritual batteries while enjoying some relaxing time. Whether you're looking to visit shrines, take part in religious camps or organise outdoor prayer sessions, there are plenty of options for enriching your faith and strengthening family ties. Here's a comprehensive guide to the activities available, the places to visit and practical advice on how to have an enriching and spiritually revitalising holiday.

Visits to Sanctuaries and Abbeys

Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Montligeon (Orne, France)

The Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Montligeon, located in the Perche nature park, is the world centre for prayer for the dead. It offers a peaceful setting for meditation and contemplation. Visitors can take part in daily masses, prayer vigils and spiritual retreats. The sanctuary also organises conferences and seminars on spiritual and theological themes. Families can find a space to recharge their batteries and pray for their deceased while enjoying the surrounding natural beauty.

Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes (Sarthe, France)

The Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes is renowned for its Gregorian chants and serene atmosphere. Founded in the 10th century, it is a place of pilgrimage and spiritual retreat. Visitors can attend services sung by the monks, and take part in retreats and spiritual formation sessions. The abbey also offers accommodation for those wishing to immerse themselves in monastic life and enjoy moments of prayer and silence.

Ourscamp Abbey (Oise, France)

Notre-Dame d'Ourscamp Abbey is a place of active monastic life where the brothers offer spiritual retreats and family stays. Visitors can take part in religious services, prayer times and spiritual formation activities. The abbey also hosts retreats for singles, vocational discernment sessions and specific retreats for young adults.

Participate in Religious Camps

Agapé Village

Agapé Village offers camps for all ages, offering a variety of spiritual and recreational activities in a family setting. Here are some of the options available:

• Camping du Pas Opton (Vendée, France): In partnership with Spring Harvest, this campsite offers dynamic stays with leisure activities and group prayer time. Families can enjoy the proximity of the sea, take part in personal development workshops and attend daily religious celebrations.
• Camping des Térébinthes (Pays de Loire, France): Located in a natural, green setting, this campsite offers relaxing holidays with activities for the whole family. Stays include times of prayer, group games, hikes and moments of spiritual sharing in community.
• Hosanna House (Hautes-Pyrénées, France): Close to Lourdes, Hosanna House offers full-board holidays with spiritual activities suitable for all ages. Families can take part in excursions, prayer and spiritual reflection in magnificent surroundings.

Jésuites de Pied Barret (Ardèche, France)

The hamlet of Pied Barret welcomes families for spiritual stays in the heart of nature. This place offers a sober and communal life with exchanges, shared services and small projects. The days are punctuated by Ignatian prayer times, renovation activities and moments of relaxation. Families stay in dormitories or tents and play an active part in the life of the hamlet.

Centre de vacances les Edelweiss (Montagne, France)

The Edelweiss holiday centre, founded by the Saint Joseph des Tanneries association, offers holidays in a family and Christian environment. Located in the mountains, the centre offers human formation activities, spiritual walks, creative workshops and group prayer times. Families can enjoy an experience of spiritual renewal while enjoying the beauty of nature.

Organise Outdoor Prayer Sessions

Penboc'h Jesuit Spiritual Centre (Morbihan, France)

The Penboc'h Spiritual Centre offers sessions for families, combining resourcing, conviviality and prayer. Among the sessions on offer are:

• ‘My family is a treasure’: A session dedicated to family life, offering spiritual activities by the sea, moments of sharing and reflection on the educational role of parents. Families can take part in workshops, prayer times and excursions into the countryside.
• ‘Families Lab’": An experimental session where families can share and reflect together on concrete proposals for looking after their family life. This session includes times of prayer, creative workshops and socialising by the sea.

Familles et Compagnie Festival at Le Châtelard (Lyon, France)

The Festival Familles et Compagnie, held at Le Châtelard near Lyon, is an event where families can come together for spiritual activities and times of prayer. The festival includes workshops for children, group prayer times, conferences on family life and leisure activities. The theme of the 2024 edition is ‘Dare to hope’ and aims to encourage families to live their faith in hope and joy.

Practical Tips for Organising Spiritual Holidays

• Plan ahead: Many centres and shrines require advance booking. Check their websites for dates and registration details.
• Prepare spiritually: Encourage family members to take part in Bible readings or meditations before you go. Create a small programme of family prayers for each day of the holiday.
• Involve the children: Choose activities that include programmes for children and teenagers so they can enjoy the spiritual experience too. Children can take part in age-appropriate workshops, group games and prayer times.
• Vary the activities: Combine moments of prayer and meditation with recreational activities such as hikes, cultural visits and outdoor games. This variety allows each member of the family to find moments of pleasure and spiritual renewal.

Useful Resources and Websites

• Agapé Village: Offers summer holidays for all the family with a programme rich in spiritual and recreational activities.
• Jésuites de Pied Barret: Spiritual holiday sessions with the Jesuits, including activities for all the family.