Sunday, March 16, 2008 Vocation Jamboree: A respond to God’s call By Celeste Faith dela Cruz
THE Archdiocese of Cebu continues being relevant to the today’s youth with the holding of the 11th Vocation Jamboree (VocJam) at the Cebu International Convention Center last Feb. 23.
With the theme “Our Way: Jesus,” the gathering aimed to help young people discern God’s will for them. It gathered 10,000 participants from various schools and religions organizations.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said the core of the activity was to let the youth understand the meaning of discernment and how a vocation search-in can be a tool for that.
“God gave us this opportunity to make a choice and answer His call to live Christian lives,” he said.
He said the vocations to priesthood, religious life and marriage have the same purpose. “It is following Christ that will make us holy here on earth and blessed in heaven,” Vidal said.
Referring to the political crisis in the country, Vidal said he is grateful that the youth continue to be vigilant.
He said the youth can help by rejecting violence and praying that the country’s crisis end peacefully, constitutionally and democratically.
“I hope our personal and communal conversions will start in the families, parishes, schools,” he said.
Kevin Santillan, a high school graduating student of Don Bosco Technical School, said he joined the jamboree to prepare for college. He said there were times in the past when he made wrong decisions in life.
“I’ve learned from my mistakes that’s why I chose to be here with my friends that we may spend time praying together rather than spend our time on things that are not really important,” he said.
Rhea Mae Martin, Voc Jam facilitator, considers her participation a big blessing. Not used to mingling with other people, Martin felt it was God’s call that she facilitate in the activity.
“When we mingle with other people and listen to their stories, we learn from them and realize how unique we are from each other,” she said.
Participant Richelle Relampagos, for her part, said, “I’m not religious, but Voc Jam reminds me that we can help in the mission to spread God’s love and share about Jesus Christ,” she said.
