“Every vocation is born of that gaze of love with which the Lord came to meet us.”
-Pope Francis, 57th World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Last March 7-9, 2025, the Redemptorist Vocation Ministry of the Vice-Province of Manila organized a Vocation Discernment Retreat simultaneously at Pagsanjan, Laguna and Redemptorist Laoag Community. This vocation discernment retreat aims to help young men, especially those discerning their vocation in life. Junior High School and Senior High School students from Paranaque, San Pablo, Laguna, and Ilocos Norte attended the three-day retreat.
The retreat was divided into four parts. The first part focuses on the self, where the retreatants are invited to journey inward and recognize the goodness that God has planted in each person. The second part is centered on their relationship with family; here, the retreatants are encouraged to appreciate the beauty of family life amidst all diversities and differences, recognizing that the family is an important unit of society and the Church, and the formation of vocation. The third part addresses their relationship with God, inviting retreatants to rediscover themselves as the beloved children of our loving Father, who calls us despite our shortcomings and unworthiness. God’s abundant redemption saves us and calls us by His love.
After the three main topics, the Redemptorist Mission was shared with the retreatants. The vocation promoter shared the history of the Congregation and the Mission of the Redemptorists, especially the Redemptorists of the Vice-Province of Manila.
The Vocation Discernment Retreat is a perfect opportunity for those seeking to understand God’s call in their lives. We hope and pray that many young hearts will find inspiration through this retreat and uncover their vocation.
Mr. John Carlo Mercado
Baclaran Vocation Promoter
