So your bank account says “no” to Rome, Lourdes, or even the parish festival two towns over. That doesn’t mean your vacation plans are doomed. In fact, it might be the perfect chance to practice a little holy leisure — emphasis on leisure.
A good Catholic staycation isn’t just about doing nothing. It’s about doing something — something meaningful, cheap, and ideally with leftovers. Here’s how to turn a weekend (or a week) at home into a fun, grounded, and sneakily spiritual reset.
1. Sunday: The original day off
It’s easy to forget, but Sunday was made for rest, and not just Mass-and-grocery-runs. Like, real rest. Think of it as the Catholic answer to “self-care,” minus the bath bombs. Go to Mass without rushing. Make a decent meal. Ban your phone for the afternoon. Bonus points if you take a nap with no guilt whatsoever.
The idea isn’t to be “extra” about it. It’s about giving your soul and your brain some breathing room.
2. Local pilgrimage (without the blisters)
You don’t need a passport to go on a pilgrimage. Walk (or bike) to a nearby church you’ve never been to. Pray along the way — or just enjoy the quiet. Maybe there’s a shrine, a Marian grotto, or even a bench with a halfway-decent view. Offer the journey for someone you care about. Then treat yourself to an ice cream.
It’s a pilgrimage-lite: fewer miles, same spiritual mileage.
3. Eat what’s in the fridge (as a saint would)
The Catholic culinary tradition is big on using what we have. So before you hit the store, see if you can make meals with whatever’s hanging out in the pantry. Pretend it’s a Franciscan cooking show. Lentils? Great. Crusty bread? Even better. Simple food doesn’t have to be sad food. Check out some old recipes from the nonna. And not throwing things out is a small but real way to care for the world.
4. Movie night with a side of meaning
Skip the airport, hit the couch. Invite friends over (or just your dog) and watch something that feeds your soul and keeps you awake. Try The Way (walking Spain without leaving your living room), Babette’s Feast (yes, it’s slow — but so is spiritual growth), or even Paddington 2 (kindness counts, people).
You can talk about it afterward. Or not. No pressure.
5. Make your home feel like a place you actually live in
Light a candle. Rearrange some stuff. Hang that icon or family photo that’s been sitting in a drawer. Make a small space for prayer or quiet. You don’t have to transform your living room into a monastery, but a little intention goes a long way.
A staycation isn’t just what you do when you’re broke. It’s what you do when you want your everyday life to actually mean something. No flights. No stress. Just you, your faith, and maybe some really good toast.
