Davao launches Vocation Month

Launching of the Vocation Month in the Archdiocese was held last September 1, 2016 with a Eucharistic Celebration at the San Pedro Cathedral with the theme: Vocation as a call to life of mercy and compassion. The launching was attended by the clergy, religious men and women, seminarians, lay vocation animators such as the Serra Club, youth, and other members of the lay faithful. The Most Rev. Romulo Valles, the Archbishop of Davao, presided over the celebration with other priests of the archdiocese as co-celebrants.

In his homily, Abp. Valles said the month-long activity will bring into focus this special gift of the Lord. Hence, the liturgical celebration is an act of coming to the Lord of the harvest. Citing what Jesus said to his disciples “the harvest is plenty but the labourers are few,” the Archbishop encouraged the faithful to “pray to the Lord of the harvest to send more labourers to do the work.”

The Archbishop further stressed that the essence of the celebration is to beg the Lord to touch the hearts of young people in a particular way. He reflected that “it is easy for young people to hear the mysteries of the Lord and feel the touch of the Spirit if the church community is prayerful.” He pointed out that a teaching community talks about Jesus while a serving community is doing works of charity, mercy and compassion. If the Church is so alive in proclaiming to everyone, it allows the growth of vocations, he added. A very simple action such as smiling would be a good advertisement. “Joyfulness,” the Archbishop emphasized, “is a number one come on for the young people.”

Reflecting on the Gospel where Peter was catching all night but not catching any and Jesus telling him to try one more time into the deep, he said that for young people that calling means diving into the deep. He reminded the youth that it is the Lord of the harvest who calls, a calling that is always challenging. It is always ‘some more, try it this way.’

Among the young people who attended the celebration is Ryan, a REMASE seminarian. He said that “experiencing the liturgy that emphasizes the importance of vocation celebrates this gift, which springs from Christ himself.”

Wawarth, another young seminarian, invites others to GIVE IT A TRY as it may afford them an experience of miracles in the seminary life.

Brother Elton Viajedor, OFM agrees with the Archbishop saying that the launching intensifies vocation as God’s gift to us.

A meeting of vocation promoters was held right after the Mass at the St. Peter’s auditorium with Fr. Elvie Bordios, the Archdiocesan Pre-College Coordinator, as the presiding officer. Campaign activities and schedules were discussed and planned. The first vocation activity was the airing of the Holy Mass over ABS-CBN last Sunday. Visits to different schools will also follow as the main activity of the vocation month. Other activities are include the following:

1. Inter-Franciscan Jamboree
September 18-19, 2016
Target participants: Youth Franciscans but also open to other interested young people
Free, Live-out
Venue: St. Joseph School, Toril
Contact: Sr. Lydia, SFIC (0943 6598928)

2. Marist Vocation Festival
Venue: Notre Dame Kidapawan College
Date: September 23-24
Live-in (overnight)
For women in search of meaning of life
Contact: 0943 2485267

VOCATION PROMOTION
September 14, National High School, Catalunan Grande
September 15, 4:30, St. Peter’s Toril
September 25, 5 pm – Assumption School of Davao