Discernment requires commitment, trust, openness, and a willingness to surrender—qualities that Anthony Kuriakos, a 19-year-old parishioner at St. Martha’s Church in Murrieta, embodies. Recently, Anthony attended the Diocese Discernment Retreat for Young Adults titled “You Are Called!” This transformative event took place from June 10-12 at St. Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo, California, and welcomed 20 young adult discerners from across the Diocese.
During the retreat, participants engaged in prayer, Adoration, Mass celebrations, and social gatherings. They also formed a sense of community with the priests who led the retreat: Father Rafael Partida E.V., Father Alex Rodarte, Father Ian Hollick, and Father Gino Galley. Additionally, the retreatants were enriched by the presence of the Benedictine community, whose spiritual presence and peaceful atmosphere added depth to the experience.
To truly capture the essence of the retreat, we interviewed Anthony about his journey and experiences, hoping to resonate with other young adults discerning their vocations.
Q: Who are you, and how did you hear about the retreat?
A: My name is Anthony Kuriakos, and I am 19 years old, currently attending St. Martha’s Church in Murrieta. I’m in the process of discerning my vocation, and I first heard about the retreat from my spiritual director, a priest assigned to St. Martha’s. He informed me about this opportunity to deepen my discernment journey.
Q: What did you think about the location of the retreat?
A: The retreat was held at St. Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo, a place I found both serene and spiritually enriching. I cherished my personal time walking around the abbey after the talks, enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The dining hall, with its moments of profound silence, was another favorite spot of mine. My spiritual director, Father Ian, once told me, “If you spend more time in nature (God’s world), you question less if you are in sin,” and this truly resonated with me during my time at the abbey. The highlight for me was undoubtedly the Masses, which were beyond beautiful, especially when we all sang together.
Q: Where would you say you were before the retreat, and where are you now?
A: Before the retreat, I was already interested in the priesthood and found myself continually drawn to it. After the retreat, this feeling intensified significantly. The priesthood now feels even more breathtaking to me, and I have gained a deeper understanding of the suffering associated with it. This experience has allowed me to connect more closely with the Lord.
Q: What could have been better about the retreat for future discerners?
A: One of the aspects I appreciated most was having free time to relax and chill with the priests outside of spiritual direction. For future retreats, I think it would be beneficial to have even more leisure time with the priests to foster these informal, yet deeply meaningful connections.
Q: How has your understanding of the priesthood improved?
A: My understanding of the humanity of the priesthood has significantly deepened. I now recognize that priests are human and suffer just like the rest of us. During one of Father Alex Rodarte’s talks, he opened up about his personal struggles, and this honesty made me realize that he is just like me, facing temptations and sin.
Q: Any other comments?
A: I would love to attend the retreat again. It’s crucial to understand that everyone is called to some sort of vocation. This retreat is beneficial for everyone, not just those discerning the priesthood. I also built friendships with people I now go to Adoration with, which has been a wonderful addition to my spiritual life.
Anthony’s journey is a testament to the profound impact of such retreats, not just for those considering the priesthood, but for all seeking to understand their calling in life. His story is a beacon for young adults navigating their own paths of discernment.
Fr. Hau Vu is Director of Vocations in the Diocese of San Bernardino.