After attending workshops on vocation promotion organized by Fr. Nato, the seminary vocation director, with the help of the vocation committee chaired by Sem. Mark Vincent Madronero, the official vocation promoters/animators and those who offered to help were ready to plunge into “the real thing.” As soon as the semestral break started on October 12, they headed for their respective destinations—around 36 dioceses all over the country.

Armed with posters, fliers, prayer cards, application forms and the ardent zeal for mission, they braved the distance and the uncertainty that comes with the task at hand. It was an unprecedented first for many—a blessing of fire as it were. Some were sent to dioceses which were not their places of origin while others labored in their own locality. All were subject to a plethora of hurdles from catching the only or last trip to a place to sleeping on cardboards, managing an allowance that sometimes did not suffice to reach schools in far-flung areas, and explaining themselves to school officials who did not receive written communications about the vocation promotion that was to be conducted in their institution. The challenge was particularly stiff in a huge part of Luzon where the aftermath of typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” were still very much felt. Some roads were rendered impassable due to landslides, road cuts or washouts, and people were reeling from the effects of the typhoons and were just starting to rebuild their homes and lives. Nevertheless, the vocation animators saw this as an opportunity to witness to God's love and be beacons of hope. Some of them were also blessed to be welcomed in parishes, convents and, yes, even the bishops' residence. Indeed, God gives more than the amount of grace needed to accomplish the mission he assigns to each one.

On November 06, Saturday, at around 3pm, Fr. Nato, MI, the seminary vocation director, gathered all the official vocation promoters and those who helped for an evaluation and integration process. The bunch was divided into five groups in which they shared their experiences.  Each group chose a facilitator and a reporter. The reports of each group were integrated into the homily in the Holy Eucharist presided by Fr. Nato. Each had their time to relish how God's hand had worked through their endeavor. Fr. Nato meanwhile highlighted in his homily that being part of vocation promotion/animation should also help each one to realize that he has a calling—to life, holiness and the mission to witness to the ever-present love of God especially among the poor-sick.

A dinner agape followed shortly after the mass. It was a fitting treat for all who have done their part in the mission of promoting vocations to the Camillian Order.