Over a thousand young people gathered at the University of San Carlos-Downtown Campus for this year’s Vocation Jamboree.
With the theme “Pilgrims of Hope: Casting Nets, Journeying Together,” this year’s participants learned about the different types of vocations and were inspired by those who have completely embraced their true calling.
They were welcomed by a series of presentations and messages from the host university.
Fr. Patricio delos Reyes, SVD shared his vocation story. From a young age, he admitted to having fostered the desire to respond to the call of serving the Church as a priest. He recalled his missionary experience in Africa, where he almost lost his life because of an incident in their residence. Despite this experience, he remained firm and committed to fulfilling God’s call for his life.
“No matter how bad experiences will be, there will [always] be some lessons that will be learned,” Fr. delos Reyes said in his sharing.
Fr. Jerome Montesclaros, SVD, USC’s Presidential Assistant for Mission and Spirituality, formally welcomed the participants to this Jamboree.
Reflecting on the day’s liturgical celebration, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, he emphasized that the Church was not established for saints, but to call sinners to redemption. He reminded everyone to rejoice for the Lord has written their names in heaven.
“I consider each of you a co-worker in the vineyard of the Lord, co-fishers of men… Let us be grateful to God for allowing us in our brokenness to partake in his mission,” he said.
The night-long event continued with the Holy Hour led by Fr. Romulo Maypa, SVD, Vocation Minister of the SVD Community.
In his reflection, Fr. Maypa said that this Vocation Jamboree is “our Lake of Tiberias” (cf. Jn 31) and encouraged the participants to constantly root their hope in Jesus Christ, who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
“We will find something. What are we going to find and discover? Jesus has prepared something for us to explore, to discover, and to find as well as to own, possibly the way of life, a meaningful life, a chosen vocation,” he said.
One of the highlights of this year’s Jamboree is the Teatro de San Pedro Calungsod’s “Mga Dula sa Pagtuo,” a series of plays written and directed by Msgr. Agustin V. Ancajas. Members of the Archdiocese’s theatre group performed originally composed plays entitled Ringtone, Sila nga Mitaliwan na, Wedding Garment, and Paghurnal Panahon sa Tingpugas. Each play depicted relevant narratives that mirror the reality of living out the Church’s teachings, specifically on chastity, faithfulness, genuine concern for others, and rectitude of intention. The group advocates for the use and promotion of theatre as a platform for evangelization.
Participants were then divided into groups to listen and share their reflections and insights from the plays they witnessed.
After the sharing, they acquainted themselves with the different charisms, spiritualities, and apostolates by visiting the booths of the different participating religious congregations and lay organizations. Priests were also available to receive confessions for those who wanted to be a part of the sacrament.
The night proceeded with “Pangutan-a si Lolo Jose,” a special segment where participants heard practical insights and advice from Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma on various concerns pertaining to prayer, discernment, charity, and apostolate.
The good bishop also presided over the Eucharistic Celebration to formally close this year’s Jamboree. Together with him were the priest-companions of the various participating congregations and other visiting priests.
His homily, which was anchored on the readings of the Seventh Sunday in the Ordinary Time, focused on loving and forgiving our enemies. He reminded everyone that misunderstandings and failures are part of life. All are called to forgive one another just as Jesus did by dying on the Cross.
“We are made to realize [that] we live in an imperfect world… If we follow Jesus, we know how much He loves us, such that He offered His life… If only we can forgive in many small ways, I know we can forgive in great ways,” the good bishop said.
He ended his reflection by encouraging everyone to “become instruments of friendship, of brotherhood, of forgiveness” to bring harmony in a confused world and to constantly seek guidance from the Lord as they continue to discern their particular calling.
“It is how we make our life. It is how we make our family. It is how we become instruments to make this world a better place that makes us truly worthy of that vocation,” he inspired everyone.
Before the Mass ended, Fr. Christian James Mayol, Vocation Director of the Archdiocese of Cebu, presented the tokens and certificates of recognition to the individuals and organizations who contributed to the success of this year’s Vocation Jamboree. He also announced that the Archdiocese will host the 2nd National Vocation Jamboree next year, 2026.
May this year’s Vocation Jamboree inspire us to submit ourselves freely to God and respond to the mission He has entrusted to each of us as we journey in hope to our eternal destination!
Check out this year’s Vocation Jamboree gallery here.