I pray that you are enjoying these days of summer. It is always a refreshing time of year as we get to see the sun for an extended period of time. It has helped me to get out and exercise regularly, as I was not so good at getting out as much this last winter.

Summer also affords some of us the opportunity to travel or take a bit of vacation even if we might not travel. Vacation is good. Cultures throughout the world have promoted and handed down the tradition. I was amazed to find out how much time some Europeans get for vacation. There is a sharp contrast between the Italian average of 42 paid vacation days and the American 13. Some would say that they are not as productive as a result, and some would say that they are more productive as a result. The key is to make the most of any time off we have to relax, and use the time to build the relationships we have with the Lord and with our loved ones. Then our vacations leave an impression and create lasting memories.

In a break with tradition, Pope Francis is not going to spend the summer at Castel Gandolfo just outside of Rome. He did go there last weekend, and he is on a lighter schedule, but he will be staying in Rome for the most part, with the exception of World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, which begins this week on July 23 and runs through Sunday the 28^th. I encourage you all to pay attention to the happenings at World Youth Day this year. You might be able to follow it on EWTN on the TV or radio, or you might get the Pope App. or another great app is called Missio (set up by the Pontifical Mission Society, it has daily updates on Pope Francis and what’s happening in the Church around the world). There might even be an app specifically for World Youth Day. This year’s WYD has the potential to be one of the biggest gatherings of people in the history of humanity. Back in 1995 when Blessed Pope John Paul II visited Manila in the Philippines, some 5 million people gathered to see him. With Pope Francis being from South America and with all the population of Rio and Sao Paolo, I think that this could be just a big. I will be interested in hearing what the Holy Father has to say to the youth. He has been engaging them consistently since his election and his words are always inspiring.

It is a wonderful coincidence that back in 2005 when JPII died and then Pope Benedict XVI was elected, that summer the site chosen by his predecessor was the new Pope’s native country. Now, as B16 resigns and had chosen to go to Brazil, it happens that his successor is from South America and will make his first trip as Pope back to his home continent, not quite his home country, but pretty close, and I bet there will be thousands of Argentineans attending the festivities.

Please pray for our Holy Father as he travels and most importantly pray for the youth of the world who will encounter His Holiness in Rio, but most importantly pray that they will encounter Christ and that He will speak to their hearts through our Holy Father and the experience that they have.

Please pray also for our youth and children who are out for break this summer as well. Some children see summer as boring, they have no structure and long to get back to school (I was never one of those children). Summer is a wonderful time to foster the independence and strengths of our children as we give them the opportunity to grow while they relax, pray, and play.