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August 22, 2019Earlier this summer, discerners from around Oklahoma met at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Youth Camp to attend a discernment retreat called, “Quo Vadis Days,” hosted by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
In Latin, Quo Vadis means, “Where are you going?” It is the question our Lord asked Saint Peter as he was fleeing persecution in Rome. Upon being asked this question by Jesus, Peter returned to Rome to face his martyrdom. Jesus also asks each of us “where are you going?” especially in regard to our personal vocation.
God has placed in each of our hearts a unique plan, or vocation, that will lead to great happiness and satisfaction, and one day will lead to eternal happiness in heaven. Each person must be open to what vocation the Lord is calling him and her to, no matter what it might be, because it will lead to the greatest fulfillment.
The young men who attended the 2019 Quo Vadis Days retreat ranged from eighth grade students to college graduates. For four days, they learned about the critical importance of hearing and responding to the Lord through prayer. The men also had an introduction into the process of discernment, the process of recognizing what their particular vocation might be. Using the lessons about prayer and discernment, they began to prayerfully ask God where and to what vocation he might be calling them.
Dynamic speakers were asked to share their personal experiences about particular vocations of marriage, religious life and the diocesan priesthood. Intentional quiet time was built into their schedules, specifically for prayer, rest and spiritual direction, so the men could put what they were learning during the retreat to good use.
Pray for the discerners of the archdiocese that they may have the courage to say “yes” to what God is calling them to do.
Stephen Jones is a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
