How did the Saints have fun or relax?

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Hello! Does anyone have any resources or know of stories about what Any of the Saints did for fun or to relax? I feel knowing how the greats handled stress and “down time” would be beneficial to know.

I can’t really recall many stories about Saints just having a good time or relaxing, but they were human just like the rest of us so I’m sure they engaged in activities other then prayer and good works! 🙂

Any thoughts or resources? Thanks!
Speculation is welcome too!
 
St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas probably read and wrote books in their free time,. St Augustine is the patron of brewers, so likely he occasionally went to the tavern for a wine or so.:D. Same with St Patrick.

St Ignatius Loyola is on record of telling a colleague who was overworking himself to relax a bit and have a little wine, so it’s possible he followed this advice himself when he felt overexerted.

St. John Bosco performed magic tricks for the children in his care (although it was likely more for their amusement than his own).

Pope St John Paul II like skiing (although he had to quit after breaking his hip).

All the saints likely prayed a lot, especially the religious (monks, friars and nuns). As GK Chesterton put it, “they renounced all earthly extacies for the one divine extacy”.
 
In a different thread a while ago I mentioned this, and it is worth mentioning again:

St. Teresa of Avila was having recreation time with the nuns and one of them said, “What a waste of time, we should be praying instead.”

St. Teresa responded by saying…“Go to your cell and pray, and we will play with the Lord here.”

Recreation and good fun is good for the spirit! It relaxes us and replenishes us!

St. Teresa’s goal was to build up the Body of Christ, the Church. When her prayer life flourished she was totally focused on that goal. Her deep sense of humor buoyed her up, and those around her.
 
Even the very austere Carthusians go on their communal “weekly walk”, a long excursion where the hermits talk amongst themselves and enjoy the outdoors together. Perhaps this custom goes back to St. Bruno himself.
 
Some of the saints wrote poetry. St. Therese of Lisieux liked to stage plays for her sisters.

As others said, recreation is very important in many religious communities. “Social time” is perhaps the most important part of our monthly OCDS meeting in keeping with what Dorothy said about St. Teresa. The Benedictine monks at my son’s high school (all 30 of them!) quite often join in on dinner parties and socials with the parents. Had more than a few glasses of wine and beer with them over the years to boot.

Dave 🙂
 
Jesus went to a wedding feast in Cana, and made some mighty fine homebrew.

He obviously enjoyed the odd drink with His apostles – the Pharisees accused Him of being a drunkard.
 
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