Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith

Shouts and laughter filled a large hall at St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park July 9 as more than 100 teenage boys threw themselves into a high-energy group game – just one part of a week designed to inspire deeper faith and lasting friendships. The occasion was Quo Vadis, a four-day summer vocations camp for young men hosted by the seminarians of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Open to rising ninth through 12th graders, the camp – named after the Latin phrase for “Where are you going?” – blends fun with faith through talks, small group discussions, daily Mass and plenty of friendly competition.

Archbishop William E. Lori blesses a participant of Quo Vadis camp. (Courtesy Office of Vocations)

Since its start in 2013, Quo Vadis has grown into a powerful tool for helping young men reflect on their relationship with God and where that might lead them.

“We help them learn what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ,” said Father Matt Himes, associate director of vocations, on the camp’s third day. “We hope we help them find their vocations.”

Father Himes noted that participation has steadily grown over the years, with returning campers bringing their friends. This year’s camp, centered around the theme “Take Courage,” was the largest yet.

While originally designed to encourage interest in the priesthood, Quo Vadis now supports all vocations, helping teens become more faithful sons, friends and future fathers and husbands.

“I’ve been to other camps and had a spiritual high that lasts about a week,” said Keenan Handler, 17, a fifth-time attendee and parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park. “Here, I feel like this is more real. You can be honest about your faith and where you are in faith. You can discuss it with them.”

Michael Moore, a seminarian and organizer of the event, noted that “you can still have a lot of fun following Jesus.”

“Everyone is called to holiness,” he said. “How is God calling you to serve the Lord?”

After the high-energy game concluded, the group shifted gears to hear a talk from John-Mark Miravalle, assistant professor of systematic and moral theology at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg. Interspersing humor and personal stories, Miravalle offered a three-step path to sainthood: putting virtue first, seeking God above all and removing obstacles to holiness.

“You get to choose,” Miravalle said. “God doesn’t make you choose him.”

Clergy and Quo Vadis participants gather at St. Mary’s Seminary. (Courtesy Office of Vocatons)

The conversation continued in small group discussions, where campers reflected on Miravalle’s points and shared personal insights – along with lighthearted side conversations about things such as baking macarons.

Stephen Thomas, 15, initially came to the camp reluctantly after his mother registered him. A parishioner at St. Francis de Sales in Abingdon, Stephen didn’t know anyone at first but quickly found common ground.

“One thing I learned: God’s love is far greater than your plan,” he said. “I’m enjoying it.”

Ryan Gerbes, a third-year seminarian helping at the camp, said the shared experience of faith among the boys is what makes Quo Vadis so powerful.

“They are seeking God together,” Gerbes said. “I think it is so important (that) young men have this opportunity.”

Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org

To view more photos of the Quo Vadis camp, click through the slideshow below: