June 30, 2026

Young men learn about the priesthood at annual Quo Vadis retreat

REGIONAL
Staff report

The annual Quo Vadis retreat was held at Camp Holy Cross in Goshen June 26-28. (IObserve photo/courtesy Father David Aufiero.)

GOSHEN – The annual Quo Vadis retreat was held at Camp Holy Cross, June 26-28. The discernment retreat for young men ages 14-17, and includes an opportunity to learn about the priesthood, while having the chance for fellowship and fun.

“Quo Vadis is a Latin phrase that means ‘Where are you going?’ The purpose of the retreat is to help young men answer the question, where are you going? During teenage years, they are at a crossroads, they are growing out of being a child and growing into their own independence as an adult. Quo Vadis is an opportunity for young men to be given the tools to help them to discern between two possible vocations: priesthood and marriage,” said Father David Aufiero, the director of recruitment for the Office of Vocations. Father Aufiero is also the chaplain at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield and the pastor of St. Patrick Parish in South Hadley.

“When the bishop first came to Western Mass, he would say that men can be a priest or the father of a priest. This simple phrase invites young men to enter into the experience. We had food, fun, games and a hike with a Mass on the mountain, free time, and prayer. The young men had a chance to bond with our seminarians and each other,” he said.

Thirteen young men attended, and five seminarians.

“I think that the retreat gave the 13 young men who joined us a great opportunity to further their discernment, as well as create for them a network of other young men who are likewise discerning a potential call to the priesthood of Jesus Christ,” said seminarian Matt Wrona.

“As a seminarian, it was an honor and a great pleasure to accompany these young men as they discern, as well as to be present to them and witness to the joy of being a seminarian on the road to priesthood. This past weekend, validated my belief that there are plentiful vocations in our diocese that, thanks to retreats like this, are able to be fostered. I hope that as we continue to hold these retreats, we can invite more young men to discern a potential call and normalize the process of discernment of a life of priesthood, religious life, or life as a husband and father,” he said.

Jack Gilbert, who will be a senior at St. Mary High School in Westfield, was one of the attendees.

“My favorite part of the weekend was the hike. But to be exact it was also the conversations I had with the seminarians that I absolutely loved. We talked about so many different things involving the faith and the seminary,” said Gilbert, who is a member of the Diocesan Youth Team.

“I plan to apply to college seminary in the fall to start classes there in the fall of 2027 and I hope to be able to help at the next Quo Vadis retreat next summer as a seminarian,” he said. 

Five adult volunteers also accompanied the group.

“Quo Vadis normalizes the conversation about a vocation by bringing together other young men of faith,” said Father John Williams, who was ordained in June of 2025.

“They realize they are not alone; that many of their peers share their desire to love God and serve others.  Regarding the vocation to the priesthood, one also cannot underestimate the influence our seminarians have at Quo Vadis. In some cases, they are only a few years older than these young men. It puts that possibility much more in play for them,” said Father Williams, who is the parochial at Blessed Trinity Parish in Greenfield.

The weekend ended with Mass at the chapel on the grounds of Camp Holy Cross. Father Aufiero said a few of the young men are interested in joining a discernment group and all said they would attend the retreat again next year. Father David Darcy, the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown, works with Father Aufiero in the vocations office as the director of the seminarians.

Currently there are five men in priestly formation for the Diocese of Springfield. To learn more about upcoming discernment events, go to diospringfield.org