July 23rd marked the beginning of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s 13th annual “Quo Vadis” camp. “Quo Vadis” a Latin phrase, which translates to “Where are you going?” is an annual four-day summer camp held by Mount Saint Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
The four days on the campus were filled with sports, games, engaging talks led by various priests and seminarians, as well as numerous opportunities to pray in silence with the Lord.
The camp which saw more than 140 male retreatants register, placed emphasis on fraternity and what it means to be a man chasing after the heart of Christ.
“Quo Vadis” has been used as a massive stepping stone for high school boys in the archdiocese, and has been a focal point for men’s discernment into seminary for the time it has been active.
“He is the limit who is limitless,” said Father Mario Majano, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Landover Hills. “You are called to something greater than this culture. You’ve been stamped with the image of Christ.”
Participant Brandon Chernosky, whose 5th and final “Quo Vadis” ended with a call to college seminary, recalled his first-time walking into camp as a rising high schooler. “It was so amazing to see how these seminarians lived and how these priests lived, he said. “It was the first time we could see how great the fraternity is. It was the first time I had opened my mind and my heart to the priesthood.”
Dylan Young, another camper, who will also be entering college seminary this upcoming fall semester, said that he was excited coming to “Quo Vadis” this year, knowing that his journey through seminary was right around the corner. “There’s a different kind of excitement this time around,” he said. “This is where the Lord wants me to be, and I just have to trust in that.”
For these two future seminarians, the Lord's call to them was one, not of a loud shout, but a continuous whisper.
“What is really going to fulfill me? What is really going to satisfy me? Is it good because you want it, or do you want it because it’s good?” were questions asked by Father Matthew Fish, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Newport, Maryland, as he gave a valuable talk on the importance of the priesthood, and the duty of priests to spread the truth.
The Archdiocese of Washington presents many different Quo Vadis events for High School boys, and young adult men throughout the year, such as various outdoor activities, retreats, and dinners, that give those discerning priesthood more opportunity to dig a little deeper into what the Lord may be calling them. For more information, visit dcpriest.org.
