Quo Vadis Days: Answering God’s call, June 29 – July 2
By Allison Mosier06/11/2025
This June 29 – July 2, the Diocese of Erie welcomes young men in grades 9–12 and college into a transformative encounter with Christ at Quo Vadis Days, a seminary-led retreat designed for those discerning the priesthood. Hosted at St. Mark Seminary, this three-night, four-day experience offers a rare opportunity to step away from life’s distractions, listen for God’s voice and explore where he may be calling you.
From the moment participants arrive on Sunday evening, they’ll be immersed in a rhythm of prayer, fellowship and formation. Each day begins with Morning Prayer and Eucharistic adoration, followed by engaging talks from seminary formators and current seminarians. Small-group discussions give every retreatant the chance to ask tough questions, share personal insights and build brotherly bonds that extend far beyond the weekend.
“Quo Vadis Days is more than a retreat, it’s the heartbeat of our seminary’s mission,” says Fr. Scott Jabo, vocation director at St. Mark Seminary. “Through prayer, conversation and shared witness, we’re helping young men to hear more clearly the call of the Lord to follow Him and to respond to that call in faith. It is also planting seeds of vocation in these young hearts.” This reflects the seminary’s vision: to assist men in discerning the Lord’s personal call, that is, their vocation, and if so called, to prepare them through the stages of formation for the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church.
In addition to prayer and discussion, participants will discover the joy of Christian brotherhood through outdoor activities such as kickball on the seminary lawn, bonfires under the stars and team-building challenges that blend fun with purposeful reflection. In the evenings, we’ll pause by the campfire, a memorable moment for Fr. Brandon, ordained this year, when he experienced Quo Vadis Days as a seminarian: “Around that fire, our conversation came together organically,” he recalled. “We spoke honestly about our hopes and fears, and you could feel God moving in that moment. It wasn’t just talk, it was a true encounter, a foretaste of the fraternity and faith that sustain priestly life.”
Midday breaks allow for personal time, whether to journal in a quiet corner of the seminary grounds, explore Erie’s scenic Presque Isle shoreline or simply rest before afternoon workshops. These workshops cover essential topics like prayer life, spiritual direction and seminary formation, giving young men a clear picture of what life as a priest entails.
Bishop Lawrence Persico, who will celebrate the opening Mass on June 29, often emphasizes the pressing need for priests today. “Quo Vadis Days is not merely an introduction to seminary life; it’s an invitation to discover how your unique gifts can meet the profound spiritual hunger of our people. Now more than ever, the Catholic Church needs faithful men ready to shepherd our faithful guided by the Holy Spirit."
The retreat concludes with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a closing Mass and the opportunity to speak one-on-one with formators about next steps in discernment. As the final blessing is pronounced, the men depart not merely as attendees but as brothers in Christ, carrying with them new friendships, fresh insights and the courage to say “yes” to God’s plan.
If you’ve ever wondered where God is leading you, or if you feel a gentle tug toward priestly service, Quo Vadis Days is your invitation to come, see and listen. Registration is open now at https://erievocations.org/events/quo-vadis-days-2025/. Join us this summer, and take the first step on the greatest adventure of all: following Christ to the priesthood.
Interested in hearing from our previous participants, watch our testimonial video from 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU1gbj5niqo.
-