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Quo Vadis Days

There are numerous programs that promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Let me tell you about one that has been very successful in the Northwest United States and is beginning to spread. It is called Quo Vadis Days. “Quo Vadis” is a Latin phrase for “where are you going?” Legend tells us that St Peter asked Jesus this question on the outskirts of Rome. And we all know where Jesus went in response to his Father’s will.

You might be wondering…what is Quo Vadis Days? It is a 3-day camp for young Catholic men to learn more about the priesthood, to deepen their faith and to better discern God’s call in their lives. Quo Vadis Days was started in the year 2000 by Fr John Cihak in the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon in response to the Holy Father’s request that the Church begin “The New Evangelization.” Fr Cihak received his Doctorate in Theology from Rome is now in pastor in Gervais, Oregon as well as being on the faculty of Mt Angel Seminary in Mt. Angel, Oregon. He continues to run the Oregon annual Quo Vadis Days too.

The growth started when Fr. Derek Lappe and Fr. Hans Olson held a Quo Vadis Days Retreat in Vancouver, Washington (with the assistance of the Columbia River Serra Club) for 7-8 young men. The Seattle Archdiocese was so impressed with the results that Quo Vadis Days become an Archdiocese-wide program. The last several years all 7 Serra Clubs in the Seattle Archdiocese have participated and they have had 75-80 young Catholic men in attendance.

The Serra members and clubs donate money including having fund raising events, transport the young men to camp, purchase and transport food , cook , clean up, and do about any other activity that they are asked. At a recent Regional Serra Convention for Region 12 in the Seattle area, Fr Paul Mangano and Rich Schivley Vocation Directors for the Seattle Archdiocese made the statement that of their 35 seminarians 8 had gone through Quo Vadis Days. I had spent a day at the Oregon Quo Vadis Days but I thought “wow”! This program really works!

Some times the Good Lord gives us messages at very appropriate times. Here are a couple of anecdotal events that seem to prove that point. At a recent Serra meeting in Chicago I had just communicated with Fr. John Cihak as I was preparing to make a presentation about Quo Vadis Days to the USAC Vocation Committee. Riding down the elevator I am talking to Jeff Jespersen from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania about Quo Vadis Days and he get all excited and says” we have Quo Vadis Days and we have doubled the number of seminarians in our diocese”.

I get back to Portland Oregon and am in the process of writing this article and I get a call from Monsignor Greg Moys from Grants Pas Oregon telling me that he will be unable to attend our Portland Serra Priests Appreciation Dinner because of a conflict. He proceeds to tell me that ever since Quo Vadis Days started in Oregon his parishioners and staff have been present for three days at Oregon’s camp. He feels it is a great program for high school men to spent camp time with good talks from happy priests, great recreations fun, confessions, as well as evening camp fires where you hear vocation stories from seminarians. The program proves that we shouldn’t be only looking at post-college Catholic men, but high school as well.

Proof in the pudding comes from what we hear from locations like Seattle, Wa. and Harrisburg, Penn. So consider starting one today! For more information go to: www.qvdays.com . Programs are also going strong in Spokane WA; Virginia, and getting ready to launch in Yakima, WA.

One large benefit to Serra from Quo Vadis Days from a membership standpoint is that as these priests who are involved with Quo Vadis Days are transferred to new parishes they become strong advocates for new Serra Clubs and/or revitalizing existing clubs because we are working together on a program that has proven success in attracting young men to the priesthood.

QUO VADIS DAYS - How it works, a recipe for success!

“Quo Vadis Days is a three day camp for young men to learn more about the priesthood, to deepen their faith, and to better discern God’s call to their lives. It was started in the Jubilee Year 2000 by Fr. John Cihak in the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon as a response to the Holy Father’s request that the Church begin “The New Evangelization.”
 

  • • www.qvdays.org
    • Young men between the ages of 13-18 years old
    • Held at a Catholic or Christian camp site
    • Liturgies, prayer services, reconciliation services, etc
    • Recreation like soccer, Frisbee football, swimming etc
    • Lots of good food
    • Able to spend time with happy young priests and seminarians
    • Priests and seminarians able to give testimony of their calling around campfire
    • Educational talks on religion
    • Taking place in 5 dioceses in the Northwest United States and Harrisburg PA
    • Similar programs may be taking place in other parts of the country under different names.
    • At one point the Seattle Archdiocese made the statement. “that of their 34 seminarians 14 had gone through Quo Vadis Days”
    • Lots of good clean fun in a very “spiritual atmosphere.”









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