The Courage to Say Yes

It’s vocation month again. The vocation promoters of the archdiocese are gearing to organize an intensive vocation campaign to bring awareness as well as active participation among the young people in the archdiocese. I was talking to Fr. Raul Caga, SVD, (the current DVP- Davao Chairman) a few days ago, and he outlined to me the activities the DVP group will do for vocation month. The launching will be held on August 31 during the 5:30 PM mass at San Pedro Cathedral.

The group is doing away with symposium that they usually organized in coordination with different schools. Instead they are planning a vocation jamboree which is the first of its kind here in Davao. Fr. Raul is hoping it will draw a big number of participants from students and young professionals alike. They are tapping schools and parish organizations to send in delegates to this important event. The jamboree will be held at CYO Gym on September 30 starting at 6:00 PM until 6:00 AM of October 1.

You might wonder what they are going to do during the night. Well, they have an interesting line up. For starters, they have four modular activities called Booth hopping, Group sharing, Adoration and Confession. This will be followed by a program presentation from the participants and a rosary procession at dawn. The whole night affair will be capped with the celebration of the Eucharist in the morning.

I kind of like this jamboree idea. I am sure this will tickle the adventurous spirit of young people and certainly an effective means of getting the participation of the youth in vocation promotion.

It is inspiring to note that despite the consumerist tendencies that are very much present among the young generation today, still many are drawn to a life of service in the Church. These are the young people who are truly searching for the “pearl of great price.”

Religious life and the priesthood offer an intriguing perspective to young people today. They have lots of questions about religious commitment, sometimes ranging from the mundane to serious matter. And yet, some of those who feel they have vocation are sometimes afraid to pursue their calling because they are not sure of what lays ahead of them.

A friend of mine from the seminary who is presently in his second year of theology shared to me that his life as a seminarian is the best thing that ever happened in his life. He thought of becoming a priest since he was a boy and believes this is the best way he can serve the Lord. However, he also confided that he sometimes experiences anxiety because he cannot be sure if he will hold out till the end. Nonetheless, the challenges that he encounters in his studies and pastoral exposure leave him ever more determined to pursue his calling.

One of the many challenges in answering the call to discipleship is to find the courage to say “yes” to the God who calls us and to renew this “yes” daily. This is true with anyone who has opted to follow a vocational calling and embraced a life of commitment.