Dominicans conduct vocation campaign in Sto. Tomas town

STO. TOMAS, Davao del Norte— Dominican Studentate brothers under the Order of Preachers – Philippines province conducted here in Sto. Tomas town a week-long vocation campaign in various private catholic and public schools, hoping that the youth of today will consider pursuing a religious life in the Dominican Order as their personal vocation.

The Dominican Studentate—a team of young Dominican preachers—conducted vocation campaign at Maryknoll High School of Sto. Tomas, Maryknoll High School of Kapalong and other schools in the nearby towns.
Bro. Junel Pedroso, O.P, Team leader of Dominican Studentate, said that a vocation is a call from God, and anyone who has felt God’s call knows that the process is anything but simple, adding that “most people think of a vocation as what they are called to do in life, it is important to understand that the first and most important call from God is a call to be – the universal call to holiness.”

“The discernment of a vocation is above all the fruit of an intimate dialogue between the Lord and his disciples. Young people, if they know how to pray, can be trusted to know what to do with God’s call,” the Dominican brother explained.

At least 1,000 students have actively participated in the various activities prepared by the Dominican Preachers. Lectures, fun-filled games, bible reading and activities geared towards deepening of personal and spiritual faith of the participants were the highlights of the vocational campaign.
During a vocation talk, Pedroso explained ,in an assembly of students, that “career or a profession is something that you have in order to support yourself and to contribute in some way to the good of the society.” He added “you don’t need to believe in God to choose a career or a profession.

“A person can pick, choose and switch profession freely depending on his/her preferences, strengths or circumstances. A profession or a career always has a horizontal dimension,” he added.
Marlou Marcito, a senior student of Maryknoll Sto. Tomas, learned the distinction between a call to holiness and a call to a specific vocation – single person, married life, consecrated life or ordained ministry – is important.

He said that the universal call to holiness is rooted in our baptism. It is a call to know, love and serve the Lord. It is a movement that draws us toward a deeper union with God, adding that “we feel a growing desire to love God and to love our neighbor and we come to understand that there is a reason for our existence and there is meaning in our lives.”

“The universal call to holiness is an ongoing conversion experience. It keeps opening our eyes to new awareness of God’s loving presence. It keeps inviting us to turn toward God by aligning our will with God’s will. I hope young generation will consider religious life to serve God and His flock,” he said. MART D. SAMBALUD