Summer can be a sweet, sacred time for Catholic families.
The warm weather invites us to slow down, enjoy life together, and form intentional rhythms outside of the packed school-year schedule. It's the perfect opportunity to build spiritual traditions that create joyful memories and anchor your family in faith—without needing to add more stress or planning to your already-full calendar.
Here are a few family-friendly Catholic summer traditions that blend holiness and delight—with a little help from ice cream, sacred devotions, and the saints.
🍦 1. The “Confession and Ice Cream” Tradition
Let’s be honest—kids (and adults!) might not always look forward to confession. But pair it with a post-confession trip to the local ice cream shop, and suddenly you’ve got a tradition they’ll ask to repeat.
Choose a date every few weeks—Saturday mornings are great—and make it a family outing. Arrive a little early to pray together in the pews, and encourage even the littlest ones to bring a quiet book to prepare their hearts.
Book Pairing from Scepter:
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The Way of the Cross by St. Josemaría Escrivá – A short, meditative guide to unite your family’s hearts with Christ’s love and mercy, perfect for pre- or post-confession reflection.
- You Can Pray – A teen-friendly guide to prayer that includes short reflections to help young readers prepare for and reflect on the Sacrament.
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The Way by St. Josemaría Escrivá – For older children or teens, this book’s brief points make it a great aid to an examination of conscience and spiritual growth.
❤️ 2. Celebrate the Sacred Heart in June (and Beyond)
June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—but this devotion deserves year-round love. Try setting up a small family altar with an image of the Sacred Heart. Light a candle each morning and pray a short daily offering together.
Make it visual. Make it simple. And let your children see that Jesus’ heart burns with personal love for each of them.
Suggested Daily Offering (Child-Friendly):
“O Jesus, I give You my heart. Make it kind and full of love like Yours!”
Book Pairing from Scepter:
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Christ Is Passing By by St. Josemaría Escrivá – Includes a profound homily on the Sacred Heart and offers accessible insights into living this devotion daily
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Friends of God – A collection of meditations that help older teens and adults reflect on Christ’s love in a concrete, personal way.
🕊️ 3. Bring Saints into Summer Stories
Use lazy afternoons or road trip downtime to introduce your children to their heavenly friends. Read short stories about the saints, or create a “saint of the week” to talk about over dinner. Choose saints who lived lives of joy, sacrifice, and adventure—perfect for inspiring young minds.
Book Pairing from Scepter:
- Brave Leader, Big Heart: The Adventures of St. John Henry Newman – A beautifully illustrated biography that brings Newman’s childhood, challenges, and courage to life for kids.
- Junia – A fictional story set in early Christianity that helps middle grade readers imagine what it meant to follow Christ when doing so meant risking everything.
🏡 4. Create a Summer Prayer Space
Let your kids help decorate a prayer corner outdoors or in their bedroom. Let them pick flowers for Mary, choose a candle to light before prayer, or arrange their favorite religious images. The more they feel ownership, the more likely they’ll want to spend time there.
You can even keep a “Summer Prayer Basket” with a few favorite prayer cards, picture books, or short devotionals—something they can grab during quiet time.
Book Pairing from Scepter:
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The Thoughtful Home by Dia Boyle – Encourages families to create spaces that cultivate peace, hospitality, and holiness in everyday life.
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Time for God by Fr. Jacques Philippe – A simple but profound invitation to deepen prayer, perfect for adults looking to build consistency in their spiritual lives.
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A Gift of Myself – A charming book that encourages young children to see their actions and sacrifices as offerings to God.
🗓️ 5. Mark the Liturgical Calendar Together
Even during vacation, keep the Church calendar alive in your home. Celebrate feast days with special meals, crafts, or outings. You don’t need to go overboard—just a small gesture to acknowledge the day.
Some fun summer saints to mark:
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June 13: St. Anthony of Padua (have a bread-themed dinner!)
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July 6: St. Maria Goretti (talk about purity and forgiveness)
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July 31: St. Ignatius of Loyola (go on a mini family hike or “retreat”)
Book Pairing from Scepter:
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Daily Roman Missal – A great tool for older children and parents to stay connected to the Church’s readings and feasts year-round.
☀️ Final Thought: Faith + Fun = Family Formation
Forming a family culture of faith doesn’t have to be heavy or complicated. The key is consistency, joy, and weaving prayer and devotion into the fabric of your ordinary days.
So go ahead—pile into the car, head to confession, and follow it up with double scoops and double grace.
Your kids might remember the sprinkles… but more importantly, they’ll remember the peace that comes from returning to Christ.
Looking for books to support your family’s summer spirituality?
Browse our full collection at Scepter Publishers.
