By Laura Suhr, OSB, October 13, 2026
This summer, Birkenstock released an ad which quickly popularized the term “Nun Girl Summer.” Although I am not a Birkenstock wearer (I am and always will be a tennis shoe girl), I have enjoyed reflecting on my summer and what living out a “Nun Girl Summer” has meant for me.
My summer was full of adventure. I met with other young women religious at Gatherings in Duluth and Denver. I traveled to different towns in MN to lead VBS (Vacation Bible School), I led a Summer Camp entitled “Girls, God and Good Times,” (affectionately known as “3g“) I spent a week on retreat with my community, attended a work-related conference, canoed and kayaked, worked in the garden, made pickles, visited my nieces (and their mom and dad of course), made a trip to the World’s Largest Ball of Twine (followed by a meal prepared at my parents’ house <3), attended my 20-year high school reunion and celebrated 20 years of friendship with my roommates from college. I even spent a few weeks home with my community where I did various regular tasks, which included replying to women interested in a vocation to religious life! Yes, religious life is a way of life still relevant today, and even if you are not called to religious life, there are many ways you can embrace this attitude of a “Nun Girl Summer” by scaling back from social media/phone use and other distractions to be more present to the here and now.
For me, hours spent on the road this summer provided plenty of time for reflection. It also gave me time to listen to podcasts and some of my favorite soundtracks – Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants being at the top of the list. I reflected on what the songs represented to me and about my friendships and just about every time I turned on the radio, whether pop or country, “I Knew it, I Knew You” by Taylor Swift was playing – which honestly fit with the overall theme of friendship and feels like it belongs on the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Soundtrack. #IYKYK.
Driving helped me embrace this attitude of life – one of embracing silence, prayer and being fully present in the moment. I had to slow down; I couldn’t multi-task while driving (at least not the typical way I do – I hardly think singing to your favorite songs while driving counts as multi-tasking) I had to be present to the moment in the car. In addition to my podcasts and soundtracks, I incorporated moments of silence, reflective thinking, and prayer. I felt a genuine appreciation for the scenic views with no rain and gratitude for the many people and places I was able to be to this summer and all the joy my travels brought me. I am so grateful for the many friends I saw and memories I made. I also appreciated all the time I was able to be outdoors, including morning walk/runs in a variety of spaces – most of which are much hillier than my local MN area!
Whatever your summer looked like, I hope you recognize the importance of habits – not just the religious garb or wearing Birkenstocks, but habits you embrace in your daily life, ones that bring you peace and joy. While I traveled and worked with 3g camp, I took time to reflect and pray by myself in silence, attend Mass, and participated in communal prayer. I was blessed to pray LOH in different forms with many different communities. Prayer and community are essential to my life as a Benedictine Sister, but they are also a habit that I have made a part of my routine even as I travel away from the monastery.
Fall is an apt metaphor for change, and as I look back on my summer with gratitude, I also look forward with anticipation to whatever God has in store next, even if, albeit, less exciting. For me, fall is a more “stable” time of year with less traveling, a time when my routines and habits are a little bit more set, but it’s also easy to find excuses to not be as intentional. I plan to incorporate my reflections from this summer, to be in the present moment without feeling the need to multi-task (yes, the temptation exists for women religious too), to embrace more silence – driving provided me ample opportunity this summer – but I know I will need to be more disciplined about making it a part of my regular routine this fall.
I also will make a habit of going outside each day, perhaps for less time in the winter, but especially for the fall continuing to embrace the beauty in creation and give God praise. Another way for me to slow down is to make time and space for journaling and letter writing. To some a lost art, to me, an enjoyable hobby – and a way to stay connected to God (through prayer journaling) and the many friends I spent time with this summer. Now that pickling season is concluding – I even have a bit more free time in my schedule to make letter writing a reality 😉
Laura Suhr, OSB is Vocation Director for the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, MN. She also directs Girls, God and Good Times, (3g for short) a Catholic Benedictine summer camp sponsored by her community.
Please leave a reply.