By Fr. Donnie Duchin Duya, SDB
Makati City, the Philippines, 4 July 2017 -- One may wonder why a Don Bosco school jumpstarts its vocation promotion at the beginning of the school year, just some three weeks after the classes have begun.
It defies logic and reason, so to say.
But when one realizes that as early as this time, colleges and universities are aggressively luring our students to consider them after staying with us, I think it is but fair to do the counter proposal as early as this time.
That's what we in DBTI-Makati did last 29 June, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.
The day took off with a Holy Mass, thanking the Lord of the Harvest for the 50th anniversary of the Salesian Profession of one of our alumni, Fr. Salvador "Boy" Pablo, SDB together with his classmate, Fr. Ronald "Ronnie" Ocampo, SDB who is currently assigned to the school as a confessor.
When the Mass was over, another DBTI-Makati alumnus, Fr. Vester Casaclang, SDB, took the center stage to deliver a talk on vocation. The talk was meant to help the Bosconians in coming up with a choice that will lead them to a greater brand of happiness.
The young Salesians from the Postnovitiate Community, who came all the way from Canlubang, did not just wow the Bosconians when they performed a dance item. They interacted with the students on the playground during the students' free periods.
One teacher remarked how it was such a beautiful sight to see the campus with so many Salesians of Don Bosco around who were assisting with the students.
The brothers went from one room to the next, in order to share the beauty of the Salesian vocation to the students.
However, that day did not just highlight the vocation to the religious life. Simultaneous with the brothers' room to room campaign was a forum in the Joy Center to help enlighten the students as regards single blessedness and the married state.
Br. Joel Granada, SDB, a practical trainee assigned in the school, gave a talk on single blessedness, while a married couple from the elementary department, Mr. Don Don and Ma'am Bell Buensuceso shared a glimpse of their "imperfect" love story to our high school students. One highlight of their talk was when they presented a copy of the covenant they signed nine days just before their wedding day.
The senior high school students had a chance to hold a prayer service in the nearby St. John Bosco Parish. They offered prayers for the young people who are discerning which state of life to pursue.
The afternoon was capped off with basketball and football matches, featuring our students of theology against some selected high school students.
In both events, the Salesians dominated. But perhaps, our students did not mind for they look forward to another match. And when that next time happens, we hope that, just a wishful thinking, some of them are already in the seminary.
But with your prayers--and with His will--we are certain, it will not just remain a wishful thinking.
