Vocations Camp in the Philippines

With the theme “St. John of God Family: Beacon of Hospitaller Vocation” the Vocations Team of the Philippines Provincial Delegation and the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus organized the first Hospitaller Youth Camp in the Philippines on 13/14 May this year.

The St. Richard Pampuri Center in Amadeo, Cavite, was the venue and the youth camp was part of the celebration of the “Year of the Family of St. John of God”. Several co-workers from Quiapo and Amadeo co-facilitated the gathering. Sixty-five young people participated. The age range was from 16 to 30. Most of the participants came from Manila but several also came from the Amadeo area. Almost all of the participants are involved in various parish organizations.

Participants were introduced to the life of St. John of God through a role-play based on the five major events in the life of the saint. Generally, the youth camp was organized in three parts :recreational activities such as group games and animation; education through vocational talks and vignettes; and spiritual exercises through guided reflections and liturgical celebrations. A pin badge of the logo of “The Year of the Family of St. John of God” was given to each participant as a souvenir.