An Invitation to Vacation

June, July, and August will soon be upon us. In Minnesota (and most Northern states), the summer season becomes like the “Thank God it’s Friday” of the entire year. The weather and length of daylight draw us to so many activities, especially those in the outdoors. We plan vacations and trips to all corners of the country, paying attention to the food we will eat, the places we will visit, people we will see, and the activities we will do.  Just like looking forward to a Saturday, where “we get to do whatever we want,” vacation promises the same freedom. I suspect not many have considered the deeper meaning of vacation, I certainly did not before a friend invited me to go on a Communion and Liberation summer vacation. The year after my mom died in 2006, I received just such an invitation, and curious about it, I did attend.  At my first summer vacation, I felt much like an outsider looking in, since so many of those there had already been vacationing together like this for years, but the thing that I took away from it was a glimpse of living life in true Christianity: “see how they love one another…”1 was so apparent! 

As with other vacations, the time there included very funny and ingenious games involving everyone from toddler to senior, shared meals, a day at the beach, hiking, campfire sing-a-longs, and free-time. What was different from other vacations were the times of daily Mass, shared prayer, and presentations on art or music that had inspired or moved an attendee to study and share about what had touched them. Each of these events were carried out with particular attention to detail, such as being ushered into the meeting room with care, and some that seemed strange at first, such as chanting morning prayer in one voice. That certainly struck me as odd on the first vacation, but gaining an understanding of the beauty of joining together in one voice changed the strangeness of the gesture.  

Msgr. Luigi Giussani, founder of the Charism of Communion and Liberation in the church reflected on vacation in a conversation the summer of 1964, where he noted: 

“… vacation time is the noblest time of the year, because it is the moment when one becomes as involved as he likes in the value he recognizes as dominant for his life…,2  

This year the CL Summer Vacation is scheduled for July 19-23 (Wednesday through Sunday) in Osceola, Wisconsin at the ARC Retreat Center. It is an old air force base that has been converted into a place for large and small groups to meet. The facilities can accommodate families, singles, and couples; and those who prefer to use a camper or tent are also welcome. Meals are provided cafeteria style, and the kitchen staff can accommodate special dietary needs if you have any. The cost for the vacation is $375.00 per person for all four days, all meals included, and financial aid is available for those who need it. 

So, whether you know me or not, please consider this your very own personal invitation to attend this amazing vacation option this year. You will meet people from all over who also want to live life fully and freely in Christ, who become lifelong friends! For more information, please contact Sebastian Modarelli smodarelli@sj.org . Do come and see! 

Peg Wentz

1. Tertullian c.ad 160–c.225 

2. Vacation: The Time of Freedom. https://english.clonline.org/news/current-events/2019/07/08/vacations-the-time-of-freedom . Accessed May 25, 2024.