I don’t know about you, but I want to have a Catholic girl summer!

But just how do we do that? How do we be the women God calls us to be while the heat is beating down around us and the stressors of this world seem overbearing and all-consuming?

Here are five practical tips for a grace-filled girl’s guide to a saintly summer. 

Celebrate the Sacraments every chance you get 

The sacraments are the gateway into experience God’s gifts for you, and they give you a greater love for life because beauty and hope are found through them. Please prioritize honoring the Sabbath and try and find a daily Mass that works with your schedule (I’ve been going Tuesdays after work). And I know Confession is difficult to face, but it feels amazing to have a fresh new soul, which is why I’m going to try to go once a month for the remainder of the summer. 

Attend Adoration

Sure, tanning on the beach is one way to get that glow, but sit in front of the Eucharist in the monstrance for even five minutes, and you’ll have that glow that can only be found in the chapel this side of Heaven

Consume Catholic content

I’ve been trying to fill my mind with good things because I am somewhat media obsessed and that was leading to a lot of stress and overconsumption. Recently on YouTube, I’ve been enjoying Stephany Suarez, West Coast Catholic’s “Ever Be” podcast, and of course, Father Mike Schmitz. 

Cultivate your prayer place & prayer space

The difference between the two is that prayer place is mental and prayer space is physical. Prayer place is where you go to in your mind when you pray: a relaxing, calming scene. For me, I go to a cottage on a cliff in Ireland. I came up with that prayer place on my junior year retreat, and recently tapped back into it, really fleshing it out. 

Prayer space, on the other hand, is a place in your physical dwelling where you encounter God. Since i’m in the process of moving, I don’t have a solid prayer place yet, but will definitely cultivate that in my new studio apartment home. 

Prayerfully ponder your future

Above all, bring your future, worries and wonders alike, to place at God’s altar and offer up to him for his greater glory. Know God’s got you, through the summer and beyond.