Camp Miakonda hosts Diocese of Toledo retreat focused on vocation, virtue, and prayer
From August 1–3, 2025, the Diocese of Toledo hosted its first-ever Quo Vadis Discernment Retreat for high school-aged young men at Camp Miakonda in Toledo. Thirty-one retreatants attended, accompanied by four priests and nine diocesan seminarians, for a weekend filled with outdoor adventure, spiritual reflection, and moments of deep prayer.
The retreat was launched by Fr. David Kidd, Director of Diocesan Priestly Vocations, who said the inspiration came from his own experience as a seminarian. “We did high school and middle school retreats when I was a seminarian,” he shared. “It is a great way to connect the students in school with our seminarians and priests and equip them with tools to discern God’s call. We want to give the students a close-up experience of the seminarians, their life, and how to engage God in prayer that is deep and personal.”
Highlights of the retreat included talks on virtue and discernment, sports and outdoor activities, and powerful moments of sacramental life. “The candle lit night Eucharistic Procession led by Bishop Thomas and our seminarians on the first night of the Quo Vadis Retreat stood out to the high school retreatants as a moment of profound reverence and encounter with God,” said Fr. Kidd. “It was followed by all night adoration.” He added that the talks by first-year seminarians were “very relatable and engaging for our retreatants,” and shared a few lighter moments too: “The Bishop was also the relief pitcher for the kickball game! And I still need to work on my archery skills!”
Throughout the weekend, participants reflected on key themes, including healthy Christian masculinity, humility, purity, the habit of daily prayer, and practical tools for discerning God’s call. “As the Bishop shared,” Fr. Kidd noted, “we need to speak to God in prayer directly: ‘Lord, help me to want what you want. Lord, help me to love what you love. Lord, help me to desire what you desire.’”
Fr. Kidd encouraged pastors, youth ministers, and parents to consider sending young men to next year’s retreat. “Give your sons an experience no other Catholic Youth Camp gives them: A real look at the priesthood from the lens of our own Toledo seminarians discerning God’s call in their lives,” he said.
Plans are already underway for next year’s Quo Vadis Retreat, anticipated again the first weekend in August, with hopes to expand and include a middle school overnight retreat as well.
Stay tuned for more details from the Office of Priestly Vocations at toledopriesthood.org.
Posted August 8, 2025 at 9:58 am