Take Advantage of Travel to Practice Catholic Traditions

Some ideas for incorporating the Faith into your trip home after Christmas or any other time you're on the road for pleasure or for business.

From Catholic Stand

By Genesius

Our modern world has become very mobile.  Most of us think nothing of driving to the grocery store to get staples such as eggs, bread, and milk.  However, a short drive today may have been a day’s journey just 200 years ago.

In our current culture, it is not uncommon for those in their late teens to study at universities far from home.  Then, after graduation, they may relocate for employment.  A new graduate may find work in the next city, another state, or across the country.

This dance is not limited to the college educated.  I have witnessed manufacturing plants shut down and offers made to workers at every level to relocate within the company.  It has become the norm to move to where the work is.

But even with the distance between parents and children expanding, modern technology allows us to stay in touch.  Be that as it may, Christmas and other holidays are still a time to return home and be with family.

Keep Your Travels Catholic

With today’s technology, it is not hard to keep one’s travel Catholic.  A person traveling over the weekend can easily find a Saturday or Sunday Mass by city or zip code using Masstimes.org.

And it’s no longer necessary to search local maps or uneasily navigate through an unfamiliar city to attend mass.  Modern GPS software makes finding churches relatively easy.

Travel also allows us to explore our Catholic faith.  Most Catholics only have access to the Novus Ordo Mass.  But while traveling, we can take advantage of the opportunity to experience a Tridentine (Latin) Mass, or the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern rite, or a Mass in one of the other rites of the Church.

Stretch Your Legs with Prayer

While driving, either alone or with family, most of us take breaks to stretch our legs (or to take care of other necessary matters).  But instead of just stopping at a gas station or travel plaza, why not stop at a church and say a prayer?

With my wife’s prompting, I began doing this a few years ago when traveling for business.  I will admit that churches are sometimes locked. But more often than not, churches are open, welcoming anyone wishing to pray before the Eucharist.  Moreover, Catholic Churches often hide amazing works of art in plane sight. I have discovered masterpieces in obscure towns barely found on a map while traveling.

Praying for the Dead

Traveling home during the holidays also allows us an opportunity to not just see our living relatives, but to visit the graves of those who have passed away.  Consider saying a prayer or divine mercy chaplet at a relative’s place of rest.

Cemeteries usually have a ground crew to manage basic maintenance.  But these crews, no matter how dedicated, cannot do everything.  When visiting my grandparents’ graves, I take some time to clean their markers and even trim the grass which is often growing over the edges.

Even if you do not know where a relative or loved one is buried, today’s modern technology again offers unique opportunities.  One can fairly easily search cemetery data bases to locate a deceased family member or friend. All it takes is a name and knowing the general vicinity where the deceased is buried.

Consider Turning Your Travels into Pilgrimages

The basic definition of pilgrimage is a “journey made on foot or by other means to a site of particular religious significance.”  And modern travel offers us an opportunity to practice this ancient tradition.

While group pilgrimages to the Holy Land or Rome are popular, such destinations are beyond the means of many.  However, a pilgrimage does not have to be limited to one of these famous locations.  And a pilgrimage does not have to break the budget.  A worthy sight may be just a few miles off an exit on the way to see family.

In the United States, there are numerous sites worth making a stop for prayer and reflection.  Although a single list of possible shrines and Catholic landmarks is beyond the scope of this article, this Link contains a listing of possible locations by state.

For the Whole Family

When traveling during the holidays, few of us travel alone.  Maintaining Catholic traditions and practices while on the road is an opportunity to bring the family together in the Faith.  Recognizing that God is with you wherever you go is an important lesson.

Every family is unique, and the Holy Spirit touches each person differently. A five-year-old child sees the world differently than a teenager or an adult.  When stopping to pray or attend Mass, work to make it meaningful for each person traveling with you.

Recognize that almost any trip can become a pilgrimage.  While visiting Disneyworld, for instance, you and your family could visit Mary, Queen of the Universe Basilica and Shrine.  It turns out that even Mickey Mouse has a church near his place of work.