“Leisure, it must be remembered, is not a Sunday afternoon idyll, but the preserve of freedom, of education and culture, and of that undiminished humanity which views the world as a whole.”
― Josef Pieper, “Leisure: The Basis of Culture”

We have just come off a “long weekend,” the Independence Day holiday, when our nation embraces time away from work and enjoys a time of leisure. The fact that we can choose leisure suggests that we are not simply enslaved by our work, but we instead open up a space where we can see life for what it is: the gift of a good God who, above all, desires that we find enjoyment in his gift! From this sense of life as a gift to be enjoyed, we can see the sense of the above quote from Josef Pieper, the German-Catholic philosopher from the last century. A good barometer for us, to assess if we are living “in the freedom of the children of God” (cf. Rom 8:21) is to consider the idea of a day set aside for … leisure. Is this something that delights us? Do we have a level of anxiety ahead of a day … where there is no work … seemingly nothing … to be done? Do we see it as a day squandered … or a day that restores us?

Pieper continues, “Leisure is only possible when we are at one with ourselves. We tend to overwork as a means of self-escape, as a way of trying to justify our existence.” As ones created, saved, and loved by God, we do not need to justify our existence — the Lord has already done this! Furthermore, we don’t have to look far across culture and history to see what happens when the human person is seen only as a commodity, solely a “worker” for the sake of producing a result: not free, but diminished. This reveals a truth — that not only is leisure an individual good — but also it produces a culture and society that is both humane and rich. One has only to think about the admittedly imperfect culture of the Italian Renaissance to see that those who enjoyed leisure — not for “productivity” but instead in the service of beauty — its renowned artists, produced great, humanity affirming works at the hands of the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli. Their beauty continues to inspire — the fruit of a very determined artistry of beauty — not “practical” but lavish, inspiring, and the product of … leisure!

Such leisure, escaping the need of self-justification, reaches its pinnacle in the supreme act of holy leisure, the giving praise to God in the worship we offer, tellingly, on the sabbath day of rest, Sunday. Pieper adds, “Leisure cannot be achieved at all when it is sought as a means to an end, even though that end be ‘the salvation of Western civilization.’ Celebration of God in worship cannot be done unless it is done for its own sake. That most sublime form of affirmation of the world as a whole is the fountainhead of leisure.” Our Sunday Mass, it is not an understatement, restores us and the whole world!

Our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, is teaching by example by his current six weeks of vacation — leisure — at that traditional place of papal leisure, Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence in the Roman Hills south of Rome. A visit to this lovely town that overlooks the astonishing beauty of Lake Albano, settled in an ancient volcanic cone, cannot help but move the heart away from busyness and work to a contemplative leisure before the beauty of God’s creation. I hope that you and your loved ones will find more than one day (July 4) during this summer to slow down, set aside the work, and discover your belovedness before God and his creation — not based on your efforts but instead on the truth that God has made you to be his beloved. Thanks, Pope Leo XIV, for your example and teaching the value of leisure — for our sake and the sake of our whole culture!

It is to support this mission that the diocesan Veritatis Splendor Institute (VSI) exists. To form disciple makers who can go back to their homes and parishes and, together with their pastors, are capable of carrying out the vital work of drawing others into the splendor of Truth. The institute was established to address the needs of everyday followers of Christ eager to have a studied confidence in the splendor of Truth given to us by the pillar and foundation of Truth, Christ’s Church (1 Tim 3:15). This is achieved during monthly gatherings that integrate elements of an advanced adult education class with a rejuvenating retreat. Students are drawn deeper into the Mystery of Faith each month through readings, discussion, the Liturgy of the Hours, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. They are encouraged in faith by connecting with others from across the diocese in small groups, at lunch, during coffee breaks between sessions, and on a required weekend retreat.

Though this formation involves an investment of time, the benefits are extraordinary. More details about this exceptional opportunity can be found on our website. We encourage you to prayerfully seize this incredible opportunity to dive headlong into the splendor of Truth. The people and place entrusted to you are counting on you to bring the light of His Truth.