Where Are You Going? Quo Vadis Days invites 18 young men to discover that God's call begins with an open heart.
By Allison Mosier07/19/2026
For four days this summer, St. Mark Seminary became a place where cell phones were set aside, schedules slowed down and 18 young men from across the Diocese of Erie gathered to ask one of life's most important questions:
"Lord, where are you calling me?"
Quo Vadis Days, the Diocese of Erie's annual vocations retreat, is more than an introduction to seminary life. It is an invitation to encounter Christ through prayer, fraternity and honest discernment. For many participants, it is the first opportunity to spend several days immersed in the rhythm of the Church, celebrating Mass, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, spending extended time in Eucharistic Adoration, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and talking openly with priests and seminarians about God's plan for their lives.
The retreat balanced spiritual formation with authentic fraternity. Daily presentations explored topics such as vocation, prayer, discernment, the life of a priest and each person's identity as a beloved son of the Father. Participants also enjoyed recreation, campfires, small-group discussions and a day at Presque Isle, where friendships formed as naturally as conversations about faith.
For participant Joseph Kondrlik, one of the most meaningful experiences came during Eucharistic Adoration.
"Adoration became a place where I experienced the Father's presence in a deeper way," he said. "Being surrounded by other men who were sincerely seeking God encouraged me to grow in my own faith and reminded me that I don't have to discern alone."
Father Brandon Feikles, who spoke to the participants about the meaning of vocation, hopes every young man leaves understanding that discovering God's plan is not something to fear, but a journey filled with hope.
"Discovering and accepting your vocation is a journey of wonder, beauty and love," Father Feikles said. "God created each of us to become who we were made to be, and He faithfully leads us every step of the way."
He challenged participants to let go of common misconceptions about discernment, including the belief that they must be completely certain before taking the next step.
"You don't have to know with 100 percent certainty that you're called to be a priest before entering seminary," he said. "God asks us to take the next step that's on our heart, and He takes care of the rest."
Father Feikles also encouraged the young men not to be discouraged by the natural desire for marriage and family.
"Those desires don't automatically mean you're not called to the priesthood," he said. "God often transforms those same desires into a supernatural gift of self for His people. His plans are always greater than we imagine."
Throughout the retreat, Father Feikles was especially moved by the participants' willingness to seek God's will.
"Their prayerfulness and openness to God really opened my heart to seeing God's movement among His young sons," he said.
That openness flourished in the company of other men asking the same questions.
"Jesus called the Twelve to follow Him together," Father Feikles said. "There's something powerful about fraternity. When young men see others who love the Lord, enjoy life and are asking the same questions, they realize they're not alone. Brotherhood gives them the confidence to keep listening to God's voice."
For those who continue wondering whether God may be calling them, Father Feikles offered simple but profound advice.
"If you can't shake the feeling that God might be calling you, pray every day for the courage to follow Him," he said. "Find a trusted spiritual director and keep listening. When the peace remains as you pray and ponder, don't be afraid to take the next step. You'll never know unless you're willing to try."
Prayer, he said, remains at the heart of every vocation.
"If we don't pray, we can't hear God calling us," Father Feikles said. "Prayer is where we come to know God's heart, our own hearts and the desires He has placed within us."
As Quo Vadis Days came to a close, the 18 participants returned home carrying more than memories of a retreat. They returned with deeper friendships, renewed faith and hearts more attentive to God's voice.
Their journey, however, does not continue alone.
Every vocation is strengthened by parents who encourage their children to seek God's will, parishioners who faithfully pray for vocations, priests who accompany young people and communities that believe Christ is still calling men to serve His Church.
"The future gives me hope," Father Feikles said. "The men who answer God's call today aren't looking for status or recognition. They're motivated by Jesus Christ and His mission to bring people to the Father. They will find new and creative ways to share the Gospel and reach those who have drifted from the faith."
The Diocese of Erie invites all Catholics to continue praying for these 18 men and for every young man discerning God's call. Through encouragement, faithful witness and prayer, the entire Church helps create the conditions where vocations can flourish, and where the next joyful "yes" to Christ can begin.
