Peoria Vocations

Everyone is called to something. What's your calling?

Catholic Diocese of Peoria : Office of Priestly Vocations
YouTube Facebook

Emmaus Days

emmaus days 2025

EMMAUS DAYS 2025

GET AHEAD OF THE GAME

Emmaus Days is a vocations experience sponsored by the Diocese of Peoria and Office of Priestly Vocations. By providing a spiritual, fun environment for young men, we help make them more aware of God’s presence in their lives and get them excited about living their faith. At the heart of this discovery process lies prayer. Emmaus Days is full of opportunities to pray and learn, from Confession and Adoration to a variety of devotions such as the Rosary and the Brown Scapular.

Participants are also given the chance to interact with priests, seminarians and other young men their own age, both in faith and fraternity. From prayer and sacraments to swimming, tug of war, and kickball, Emmaus Days helps young men realize that living the faith can be both fulfilling and fun. Priests and seminarians will also share their own experiences regarding vocation and spiritual life. Leaders will share stories about the Saints, the importance of Eucharistic Adoration and the Blessed Mother in their prayer life, as well as a variety of other talks.

Bishop Tylka visits at the end of every session to have a discussion, a photo opportunity and a Pontifical Mass with the participants. Your parents, family and friends are also invited to join us for the closing liturgy.

If this mixture of spiritual activities and summer fun appeals to you, consider participating in Emmaus Days! We promise that, after this summer of fun and faith, you will walk away with the confidence to pray each and every day the Emmaus Days prayer:

“Lord, help me to want to be what you want me to be!”

Session I - College & Adult Men
June 6-8, 2025

Starts Friday, June 6th at 5pm and goes til Sunday June 8th at 5:00pm (Start and end dates can be flexible).
St. John's Catholic Newman Center, Champaign

Session II - High School Juniors & Seniors
June 27-30, 2025

Starts Friday, June 27th at 5pm and goes until 11am on Monday, June 30th (Start and end dates can be flexible).
St. John's Catholic Newman Center, Champaign

*Sessions I and II are overnight retreats held at St. John's Catholic Newman Center in Champaign. Participants deepen their faith and focus on discerning God's will through prayer and the sacraments. By listening to and spending time with priests and seminarians, participants get a glimpse into their lives. Along with prayer and other devotions, activities like various sports and card games are played.

Emmaus Days: Sessions III & IV

Session III
July 13-16, 2025
High School Freshmen & Sophomores
Location: Peoria Notre Dame High School

Session IV
July 16-18, 2025
Seventh & Eighth Graders
Location: Peoria Notre Dame High School

Sessions III and IV are overnight retreats. Led by seminarians, participants hear God’s call to become authentic Christian men. The experience includes prayer, talks from seminarians and activities like basketball, ultimate frisbee, card games, and swimming.

 

Peoria Vocations