For young men of the Diocese, Quo Vadis 2023 offered discernment, community and fun

“Where are you going?”

The question was at the heart of the annual Quo Vadis retreat sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen and held in Camp Shiloh, Hewitt, July 11-14.

Quo Vadis, which translated means, “Where are you going?” offers an opportunity for young men between the ages of 14 and 17 to develop practical and spiritual tools for discerning where God may be calling them in their lives.

Inspired by Jesus’s exhortation in Matthew 4:19 to “[f]ollow me and I will make you fishers of people,” Quo Vadis is one of the main forums organized by the diocese’s Office of Vocations in which young men can reflect on their gifts, talents, and shortcomings – and begin prayerfully processing where God is leading them.

Described as an “an action-packed few days with opportunities to play sports, participate in leadership/team building exercises, pray, share meals, and grow in faith together,” Quo Vadis 2023 provided participants with time for individual discernment, communal fellowship, and fun. On the retreat’s second day, for example, retreatants heard a presentation on discernment tools, prayed the Rosary on a hike, attended Mass, competed with seminarians in a volleyball tournament, and learned about Eucharistic Adoration.

According to Father Thomas W. Lanza – the organizer of Quo Vadis 2023 and a member of the Office of Vocations – combining typical summer camp activities with focused opportunities for reflection and discernment was by design. “The aim this year was for Quo Vadis to become more of a summer camp retreat with hiking, rock climbing, basketball, volleyball, swimming, team building activities, etc.,” said Father Lanza. “This experience took place within the context of being around seminarians and priests, hearing their witness and testimony, and praying together and growing in our relationship with God.”

As Michael J. Ortiz, a 2023 retreatant noted, Quo Vadis “was a great time bonding with seminarians and kids from all over the Diocese.”

“Being able to connect through group activities such as sports and games,” Ortiz added, “contributed greatly to our pleasant stay and fellowship.”

Kyle Giuliano, another 2023 retreatant, similarly observed at the conclusion of Quo Vadis that he was “able to meet great friends and have a fun time with all of the activities we did.”

In addition to traditional summer camp activities, Ortiz and Giuliano expressed that Quo Vadis’s unique focus on helping young men develop practical and spiritual discernment tools was helpful as they continue their faith journeys. For Ortiz, one such example of how Quo Vadis encouraged discernment were the frequent opportunities that Quo Vadis provided to hear from current seminarians: “Listening to the shared testimonies of the seminarians and how they got to this point in their lives made me identify with them. Their talks gave me valuable lessons and spiritual advice.”

Known as “Witness Talks,” these times for seminarians to share their experiences of discernment were incorporated into all four days of the retreat.

As Father Lanza noted in an interview with The Catholic Spirit about the advice he would give to young men discerning their vocations, listening to others share their stories is an important part of a young man’s ability to know himself.

“[O]ne of the most important things a young man can do,” according to Father Lanza, in fact, “is to get to know himself.” As such, Quo Vadis “encouraged the participants to contemplate their gifts, talents, and their weaknesses. Then take this self-knowledge to prayer and see where God may be leading them. Knowing yourself authentically and knowing God through prayer, the sacraments, and Adoration is the only way to understand where God is calling you.”

For Giuliano, who shared with The Catholic Spirit that he has had a calling to the priesthood since he was five years old, Quo Vadis was a “wonderful experience” that has contributed to his spiritual development. “This has definitely been the best experience ever and I am so glad I was able to take part in it,” he said. “As I continue my journey to the priesthood, I will take these memories with me and enjoy the friendships I have made there. The experience really was incredible!”