When 25-year-old seminarian Aiden McIntosh set off Sept. 27, 2025, with 125 other cyclists on the roads of Southern Maryland, he was not only chasing miles but riding with a purpose rooted in faith, community and his call to the priesthood.
Now in its 10th year, the Ride for Vocations has become a tradition in the archdiocese, bringing together priests, seminarians and laypeople who take to the roads as a witness of prayer, sacrifice and support for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
The cyclists gathered before sunrise at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Plata for Mass celebrated by Father Mark Ivany, director of priest vocations and director of seminarians for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, with Father David Hammond, a Navy chaplain recruiter with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, preaching the homily. He reminded participants that Christ was “handed over” out of love and urged them to see their ride as an offering joined to that mission. Afterward, they set out on routes ranging from 21 to 100 miles.
McIntosh, a parishioner of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Waldorf, set his sights on completing 50 miles. For him, the challenge on the bike and the call in his heart are connected.
“Cycling is a great hobby,” he said. “But when I’m out there riding, I’ll really be appreciating the support from the good, faithful Catholics in Southern Maryland and the Knights of Columbus. I’ll be thinking about vocations and the need to raise awareness of this great ministry.”
He started discerning the call to the priesthood when he was 21, during his senior year at The Catholic University of America in Washington.
“I had started going to daily Mass and spending a lot of time in Eucharistic Adoration,” he said. “I was also helping out with campus ministry, and the Lord just put that desire to be a priest on my heart and really made it a real thing.”
“The first few years we piggybacked on other cycling events,” organizer Julie Ferrero said. “We realized we were passing many Catholic churches during these events. In 2020, we decided to host our own ride, using the churches as our rest stops."
This year’s ride drew 126 participants, including 20 seminarians, nine priests, two brothers, two deacons and 93 laypeople. At the churches designated as stopping points, cyclists were greeted by seminarians and volunteers, many who are members of the Knights of Columbus, formed a “hype squad” to cheer on riders, offer refreshments and give encouragement.
Among those hyping up the riders was Joshua Wright, a second-year theology student at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and a parishioner of St. Mary’s in Piscataway. For him, the day is a highlight of the year. “It’s just the best day,” he said.
The riders set out in warm, humid air as a light drizzle dampened jerseys before the first rest stop, and by afternoon steady downpours left tires hissing across the wet pavement.
Ferrero said uncertainty about the weather is always a challenge. “We had a 100 percent chance of rain on Saturday, and by the grace of God it stayed dry until the afternoon,” she said. “We had a couple of downpours later in the day, but the riders were able to finish safely.”
She added that the rewards far outweigh the challenges. “The most rewarding for me is attending ordination and watching some of our riders, who started as young seminarians, become priests. That is why we do the ride. We pray and sacrifice for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We meet many young seminarians at the ride, and now some are celebrating Mass and hearing my confession. That is awesome.”
Among the first-time riders was 18-year-old Peter Bronzi, who had only graduated from the Avalon School in Wheaton a few months earlier. A parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, he is spending his propaedeutic year — the opening stage of seminary formation — at St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington. The long ride didn’t intimidate him. He set out to cover 70 miles.
Ferrero also recalled how high school students who once joined the ride are now in seminary. “God is so good,” she said. Looking ahead, she hopes participation will grow. “We started in 2016 with 30 riders. We continued to grow to about 166 riders. This year we had 126. The weather always plays a factor. I am hoping we can hit 200 riders next year.”
The patron saint of cyclists, Our Lady of Ghisallo, was invoked throughout the day as riders offered their miles for vocations.
McIntosh said discerning a vocation today can feel “very countercultural,” but he encourages young men to take the leap of faith.
“Listen to the voice of God,” he said. “Even though you don’t know exactly where He’s taking you, or if He’s definitely calling you to the priesthood, it involves making that act of trust and simply surrendering. Saying, ‘All right, Lord, I think this is what You want for me. Just conform my will and my heart to Yours.’”
Of the ride, Bronzi said, “It’s a challenge, but it’s also a chance to pray as I ride and to remember why we’re here.” He added that if other young men are considering a vocation, “spend time in prayer, Adoration and the sacraments. Spending time with Jesus is so important.”
On the opposite end of the course was seasoned cyclist Alonzo Garcia, a parishioner of St. Raphael in Rockville, who took on the 100-mile route. Garcia first got into cycling years ago in California and picked it back up during the pandemic. For him, this was the fourth Ride for Vocations.
“I enjoy the fellowship and the friendships I’ve made,” Garcia said. “And I value the time spent in prayer during the day.” He explained that the rhythm of the miles: pedaling, praying, resting at parish stops and the fellowship he experiences during the day are what keeps drawing him back each year.
Father Scott Woods, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, said the ride is a blessing for the parish. He noted that Sacred Heart has long nurtured vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
“It’s a chance for our people to see, meet and pray with the men preparing for the priesthood,” Father Woods said. “That encounter strengthens both sides. Our parish is encouraged, and the seminarians know they are supported.”
