Sacred Adventures for Couples
Cultivating a deep friendship in marriage can include more than just having fun. Christian and Darcie Nielsen discovered that small pilgrimages to sacred Catholic sites helped them grow spiritually as individuals and as a couple. What does that look like? The founders of CatholicGo, a website and app for discovering historic and sacred Catholic places, share how learning to pray, explore, and be quiet strengthens their marriage, and how others can join in the adventure.
In This Episode…
Fun & Interesting Quotes on Sacred Adventures:
“I like to joke that if you’re gonna drag your kids to a shrine at least you can find ice cream nearby.”
“I started with the Hail Holy Queen. And she said, ‘No, the whole rosary.'”
“It’s a great way to date because you’re gonna see how they drive… you get a pretty good sense of someone when you’re driving more than an hour somewhere.”
“I’ve always been really shy about that because it’s kind of dorky when you say that to people who aren’t Catholic or who are Catholic and just maybe haven’t experienced that.”
Key Takeaways on Sacred Adventures:
Catholic Go Facilitates the Discovery and Exploration of Catholic Sacred Spaces:
The app and website serve as a directory of shrines, retreat centers, basilicas, and other interesting places, making it easier for individuals, couples, and families to connect with their faith with little pilgrimages.
Visiting Sacred Places Can Deepen Shared Faith:
The act of pilgrimage, whether as a couple or a family, provides an opportunity for unplugging, reconnecting with God, and gaining clarity on life’s priorities. It fosters shared experiences and can lead to spiritual growth.
Recreating Together Can Be a Spiritual Experience:
Many of these places have outdoor walks that can include Stations of the Cross, beautiful gardens, and quiet spaces for prayer. It feels natural to pray and reflect in these places which is a great start to sharing your faith with your spouse.
How Married Couples Can Deepen Intimacy by Visiting Sacred Places:
Engage in Shared Exploration and Learning:
Discovering new or lesser-known sacred sites together can be an adventure, offering opportunities to learn about faith and history as a couple.
Create Meaningful Date Experiences:
Instead of traditional dates, visiting a shrine or basilica can become a spiritual and enriching outing, fostering connection through shared prayer and reflection.
Unplug and Reconnect:
Stepping away from daily distractions and being immersed in a sacred environment allows couples to focus on each other and their shared faith, strengthening their bond.
Find Common Ground in Faith and Activity
These visits provide a natural way to bond over shared values and beliefs, integrating faith into relationships in a tangible way.
Who Are Christian & Darcie Nielsen?
Christian and Darcie Nielsen, Co-Founders of CatholicGo
Christian and Darcie Nielsen are the co-founders of Catholic GO, bringing a combined 34 years of ministry experience to the platform. Their passion for discovering hidden Catholic sites began as young adults near Boston, where they repeatedly stumbled upon remarkable, little-known sacred places—including the world’s first St. Thérèse of Lisieux shrine in Rhode Island—which ultimately inspired the creation of Catholic GO. Built by pilgrims for pilgrims, Christian and Darcie hope make the rich Catholic heritage more accessible to all through local pilgrimage.
Instagram handle: @gocatholicgo
www.catholicgo.com
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