It’s summertime and living is easy. It’s a time for fun, excitement . . . and hitting as many theme parks as possible! And while you’re there, how about getting some evangelizing in? Yes, you can totally do that in more ways than one. Even if you don’t feel confident enough to go up and start talking to people, there are still ways you can pique a person’s interest.
Need some ideas on how to do this? Here are 4 totally Catholic things to do at a theme park.
1. Pray the Rosary in the queue
If you go to any theme park, you know the best rides have the longest lines. Why not pray the Rosary while you wait for the ride? You don’t have to wave your beads or Rosary ring in people’s faces nor say the prayers out loud. You can simply pray in line. People will be amazed at how well you handle the long lines (and the melting toddler tantrums) with the peace that comes with praying the Rosary. Who knows, someone may ask you what your secret is and… bam! Evangelization opportunity unlocked.
2. Bust out a great Catholic book while waiting in line
Seeing a person read something that isn’t on their phone will cause curiosity. “Who is this rare unicorn who has graced us with their presence?” Okay, maybe they won’t say that but they’ll be interested in seeing what has captured your attention. You can go for a saint biography, an apologetics book, or your favorite novel by a Catholic author. Fellow bookworms may ask you if you recommend the book. Literary Catholic evangelization win!
3. Eat first, but pray first!
Okay, so this one isn’t strictly a Catholic practice but you’d be surprised as to how rare it is to see people praying before they begin eating out in public. Before digging into your meal or snack, don’t forget to say grace. It can be the typical “Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.” You can also wing it and simply thank God for whatever you’re about to eat in your own words. Whichever form you choose, simply do it. Hopefully, it’ll motivate others to do the same.
4. Hand out prayer cards of your favorite saints
I don’t know about you but I can usually spot a fellow Catholic even in the most crowded places. They can be sporting some sort of keychain on their bags, a medal on a necklace, or another type of visible proof that they’re fellow Papists. If you find one, you can ask if they’re Catholic (just to double check) and then ask if you can give them a prayer card. Explain that they are your favorite saint (or devotion) and you’d like to share a lovely prayer with them.
If you’re a fellow introvert and the idea of talking to a complete stranger makes you break out in cold sweat, don’t worry about it. Remember that sometimes actions are louder than words. Even if you don’t do any of these things, you can make a difference. Doing something as small as offering a kind smile to someone who seems to be having a bad day is an act of charity that could brighten up their day.
