November 27, 2015, 6:49p.m. – “EVERY religious vocation is Eucharistic in nature.”
The importance of the members of the religious community were highlighted during the celebration of the “Vocation Promotion and Prayer and Gratitude for Priests” at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church last Nov. 26.
Fr. Filemon de la Cruz, O.P., vice rector for religious affairs, said there were two challenges that aspiring preachers might encounter in religious vocation, in his homily during the Eucharistic celebration.
“A person may be giving up something and giving everything. It’s not easy to give up. But making a choice involves giving up,” Fr. de la Cruz said.
The best example of offering oneself was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Mt. Calvary, he said. “God asked only one thing [for religious vocations]: yourselves. Nothing more but nothing less,” Fr. de la Cruz said.
Participants from different congregations joined the event, including the UST Central Seminary, Daughters of St. Paul, and the Society of St. Paul. Seminarians also held vocation and promotion sessions in selected theology classes in the University.
The theme “Vocation Promotion and Awareness” was in line with the celebration of the “Year of the Consecrated Life,” which calls for the appreciation and gratitude for priests and other religious individuals. This special year declared by Pope Francis opened on Nov. 29, 2014 and will end on Feb. 2, 2016.
The event was organized by the UST Theological Society in cooperation with the Institute of Religion. Gabriel Agcaoili
