VOCATION PROMOTION

THE VOCATION JAMBOREE AT CEBU AND BATANGAS

The Archdiocese of Cebu held a Grand Vocation Jamboree last February 25-26, 2023 at USJR-Basak, Pardo, Cebu City. The participants of the said event were the youth or the young people of the Archdiocese of Cebu. It was well-participated by the different religious congregations, societies of the apostolic life and associations. Based on the data gathered by the Registration and Finance Committees, the number of young participants who joined the event was around 1,600. This number did not include the young facilitators during the event and those religious brothers and sisters who came and attended the whole duration of the event.

The event organizers came up with an estimated number of attendees of this year’s Vocation Jamboree, i.e. (all-in-all) almost 2,000 pax. As to the number of Congregations, 55 Women Congregations/ Associations came. There were 23 Men Congregations who were also present. Six other Congregations were considered “Visiting Congregations.” So, all in all, the number of congregations and communities who joined or participated in the event reached 84.

The Vocation Jamboree was initiated by the late Archbishop of Cebu – His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, in 1993. As observed, this event is an annual activity that will culminate for Vocation Month in the Archdiocese of Cebu. This is a special gathering of the different religious communities with houses or who are present in the Archdiocese of Cebu. This is a collaborative way of promoting vocation to religious life. It is an event or opportunity to invite young people to discover and better know the religious kind of life. This wonderful event was culminated by a Holy Eucharistic celebration presided over by our very own Archbishop Jose Palma, DD., together with the con-celebrating priests of different congregations.

On the other hand, the Commission on priestly and Religious Vocation of the Archdiocese of Lipa continuously explores various activities to promote interest in priestly and religious vocation among the youth today. Thus, last March 4 of this year, Saturday, 6:30 am to 4:00 pm, they convene different parish and school-based youth organizations and representatives from various congregations for a Vocation Jamboree.

The participants of the said event were the different (residing in Batangas) and outside congregations (72 in total) and youth from schools and parishes (16 schools and 45 parishes out of 65 parishes in Batangas attended), a total of around 2000 participants.

The purpose of this event is gathering of different congregations for vocation awareness and to promote charisms to different parish-based and school-based youth organizations. During the day of the vocation jamboree, there was a Eucharistic celebration, two talks from 2 guest speakers, an exhibit, presentations and performances, a raffle, human bingo as a group, and a mini vocation concert. It was a well-organized event, and many young people enjoyed various activities.

Sa Paglalakbay sa Bokasyon – KASAMA ALL

Directors of Vocations in the Philippines (DVP) Seminar/Workshop

After a two-year hiatus, the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Vocations – Directors of Vocations in the Philippines (ECV-DVP) held the on-site Seminar Workshops for the formation, skills enhancement, and updating of knowledge of vocation directors and directresses last January 23-27, 2023 at St. Scholastica’s Center of Spirituality, Tagaytay City. It was attended by the following participants: 52 Religious Sisters, 18 Religious priests/Brothers, 10 Diocesan Priests, 2 lay Consecrated Women and two Lay Vocation Promoters. The usual four phases, namely, (1) Basic Orientation Seminar on Vocation Animation, (2) Spiritual Direction in Vocation Discernment, (3) Family Relations in the Vocation Journey, and (4) Human Sexuality in the Vocation Journey given before on different dates were condensed into a 5-day seminar/workshop. Each phase was explained to us by great speakers, namely: Fr. Aljun Maglangit, Sch.P (Phase 1), Fr. Mario John Paul Tejada, MSP (Phase 2), Fr. Jayson David, SDB (Phase 3 & 4). We were the first batch who experience this newly designed program.

This activity helped us understand how to assist and guide people seeking direction and vocation discernment as they deepen their relationship with God through prayer and reflection. It also provided skills and techniques through the workshops and group discussions that are of practical help to the programs and activities of the vocation ministry. 

By: Sr. Early Grace Solis, CM