“Where are you going?”
Young men ages 15-25 considered this question during the Diocese’s annual Quo Vadis Days retreat, June 23-27. Within the walls and on the grounds of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., young men engaged in prayer, discernment and camaraderie with priests and seminarians of the Diocese as they considered the vocation to which God calls them.
The retreat included a Holy Hour, Mass, Liturgy of the Hours and the Rosary daily; discernment talks from priests and seminarians; closing Mass celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer; a nighttime Rosary procession on the seminary grounds; meals; and time for recreation during games, sports and a water-balloon launch.
Prayer and activities during the annual retreat, which offers participants guidance in discerning single, married or religious life, are featured here in pictures. Watch the Diocese’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/hbgdiocese for an upcoming feature video on Quo Vadis Days.
“Coming to Quo Vadis Days these past six years has helped me bring my Catholic faith with me in life. A lot of people, as they enter adult life, start to lose it because of what society tells us. Coming to Quo Vadis Days has helped me understand how I can live my faith in my everyday life.”
~ George Reich, 20
Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Mount Joy
“Being here with seminarians and priests is just like hanging with the bros. They’re really cool guys who love Jesus just as much as I do…. Being able to talk to them not only as priests and seminarians but as brothers in Christ really affirms where I’m at in my spirituality, formation and prayer life. Their witness as good and amazing holy men and brothers who are here for me every single day allows me to see how I can be more like that and strive in discernment to see what God wants me to do.”
~ Joe Amidon, 19
St. John Neumann Parish, Lancaster
“I started thinking about the priesthood a few years ago when I came into the Church, and a few friends I went to school with recommended that I come to Quo Vadis. Having four to five days with seminarians and priests and hearing their vocation stories has helped my personal spiritual life…. I’m going to be a freshman at West Chester, and I’ll see where the Lord takes me. I’m open to anything, and I just trust in his love.”
~ Mike Igo, 18
Immaculate Conception BVM Parish, York
