From July 27 through July 30, more than 40 high-school age young men from throughout the Diocese of Columbus gathered for the annual Quo Vadis retreat hosted at the Pontifical College Josephinum.
The aim of the event, which is organized through the diocesan Vocations Office and staffed by seminarians of the Diocese of Columbus, is to encourage 14- through 18-year-olds to be open to considering a vocation to the priesthood.
The title of the retreat, meaning “where are you going,” comes from the story of the martyrdom of St. Peter.
As the first Pope was fleeing persecution in Rome, he saw a vision of Jesus carrying His cross back into the city. Peter asked Jesus where He was going, to which Jesus replied “to be crucified again.” This vision strengthened Peter to return to Rome and to fulfill his vocation, and to eventually be martyred.
Retreatants attended Mass, prayed the Liturgy of the Hours and participated in a daily Holy Hour. They also listened to talks about priestly discernment, masculine spirituality and panel discussions from both priests and seminarians of the diocese.
During free time, participants hiked, played sports and enjoyed the Josephinum’s 100-acre campus.
The yearly retreat began to be offered in 2018, initially at Ss. Peter and Paul Retreat Center near Newark before moving to the Josephinum in 2020. Since the retreat began to be offered, over 10 prior retreatants entered seminary formation for the diocese.
Vocations events like Quo Vadis are funded through the generosity of the faithful of the Diocese. If you are interested in assisting the Vocations Office in putting these events on or know a young man who would be interested in attending Quo Vadis next year, please reach out to Father Michael Hammerle, diocesan director of vocations, in the vocations office.