It’s a good problem for a diocese to have. More than 100 young high school men signed up for this year’s Quo Vadis Days Camp at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and more wanted to attend. Father Brian G. Bashista, diocesan vocations director, said that spots to the camp filled up early and there was a waiting list.

Quo vadis is Latin for “Where are you going?” The annual summer camp is a chance for boys ages 13-18 to grow in personal holiness and to help discover their calling in life.

“It’s about guys who want to discern a vocation,” said Father Bashista.

That vocation, he said, could be to the priestly or religious life, or it could be a married vocation.

For five days, camp participants pray, attend Mass, eat barbecue and just have fun.

There was a tug-of-war that pitted teams of teens against each other, and a water balloon contest that had camp participants using large slingshots that fired water balloons at priests, seminarians and deacons who stood on chairs.

The talks, prayers and Mass had a positive effect on the teens.

“This helps you think about things,” said Victor Huynh, a parishioner of Holy Spirit Church in Annandale and a rising sophomore at West Springfield High School in Springfield. “I’ll probably come back again.”

More to come ...