Bolstered by priests and accompanied by seminarians, nearly 50 young men carved out time for prayer, reflection and discernment at the Diocese’s annual Quo Vadis Days retreat at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., during the last week of June.
The annual retreat is hosted by the Diocesan Office of Vocations, and provides high school and college-age participants with ample time for prayer, Adoration, presentations and discussions with Diocesan priests and seminarians – as well as a healthy dose of sports, recreation and meals.
Throughout the week, priests and seminarians share presentations and personal perspectives with the retreatants, who get a feel for seminary life in the dorm rooms, exploring the grounds and praying the Liturgy of the Hours.
Quo Vadis means “Where are you going?” Since its inception in the Diocese two decades ago, the week has been attended by hundreds of young men, including a number of current priests and seminarians. Its purpose is to encourage retreatants to consider where God is calling them in life.
Bishop Timothy Senior visited Quo Vadis Days on June 27, celebrating Mass for the retreatants in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, engaging them in a question-and-answer session and joining them for the annual cook-out lunch, donated, prepared and served by members of the Knights of Columbus.
“Don’t be afraid to let God surprise you,” Bishop Senior encouraged the young men in their discernment. “That is the gift that leads to true and lasting happiness.”
(Photos by Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness, and Deacon Michael Pray.)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
