The Archdiocese of Toronto’s Office of Vocations is again hosting its Come and See Weekend Discernment Retreat at St. Augustine's Seminary for single Catholic men 18 years and older.

With the hopes of cultivating a deeper prayer life and relationship with Jesus Christ, the introductory-style event Feb. 27-March 1 aims to increase the clarity of potential discernment and God’s call in young men’s lives.

Fr. Matt McCarthy, director of the Office of Vocations, said the bi-annual event has been an ongoing offering from the archdiocese for as long as he can remember. With a core idea of providing clear data and in-depth information to take to prayer, he says Come and See is a unique opportunity for attendees to step beyond solo reflection or online research by being physically present with people who were once in their shoes. 

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“ There is only so much discerning a person can do in his own mind, and so sometimes you need to just get out there and get your feet wet, so to speak. It is not a really high commitment weekend, but rather a time to come and see, literally, in a special time of fraternity, prayer and a time of more intentionally being open to hearing what the Lord is telling them,” said McCarthy.

Retreatants spend the weekend immersed in vocation-seeking prayer and community among established priests and seminarians. With significant time to interact with current seminarians, Come and See also provides the chance for young men considering diocesan priesthood to ask questions, hear personal testimonies and build relationships with those on campus.  

McCarthy said single Catholic men's interests are often a mix of the practical and spiritual. 

“They want to know about some of their fears, challenges, greatest joys, how they got to where they are, and some academic-type questions about degrees and preparation. We also see a lot of personal questions, such as how did a guy who grew up in their backyard, so to speak, learn that he was called to discern the priesthood? Those questions can close the gap between the prospect of entering the seminary or God calling someone like them,” he said. 

The retreat comes during a rather prosperous time for the Office of Vocations, with McCarthy revealing vocations showing an upward trend in recent years. 

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“ I have various programs where I journey with individuals throughout the year, particularly in helping men more intentionally discern the priesthood, and we've had more attendance at these groups than we've had in the past, at least since I've been in office,” he said. “There certainly seems to be an upward trend in terms of the number of men wanting to take steps to discern this area, and that is a great thing.” 

Still, the Office of Vocations is hoping the weekend will be another explicitly non-high-pressure event or commitment, and the first serious introduction to priestly vocations for many.

“ We don’t want to give anyone too many jitters. This is a very simple weekend to spend time with the Lord in prayer and with other men who are in the same position as you. It's just another step, a baby step, really, but an important one nonetheless,” he said. 

The Come and See retreat holds a special significance, not only for the young men stepping forward in their path of discernment, but also for the people behind the initiative themselves. 

“ At the end of these retreats, I’ll typically have a lot of guys come to me and say how needed it is and how much they really enjoyed it. Just knowing that it's giving these men a tool when it comes to discerning is amazing, but it also keeps me spiritually young,” said McCarthy.

“It was not all that long ago that I was in their shoes and having them ask some of the fundamental questions, not just about discernment, but about faith and life, renews my own spirituality in my faith journey — Come and See takes me back to the basics.” 

For more information, contact the Office of Vocations at vocationstoronto.ca/.  

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