VOCATION • SUMMER VOCATION WORKSHOP

LETTING THE SPIRIT BLOW

BY FR RAUL TABARANZA MCCJ

ASPIRANCY IS the first step during which an individual reflects, considers, and discerns on dedicating his/her whole being to religious life. During this time, the vocation director or someone delegated to formation, will assist an aspirant to give more meaning to his/her life, routine of prayer, study, faith and knowledge of self. Since our theme in this issue is Religious Life, I would like to share simple steps that we followed last year.

We held two vocation workshops, one a little recollection, and one a vocation hike, aside from our constant communication with the aspirants. The latest was the Summer Vocation Workshop, which was held at Carmelite Retreat House, Johannesburg. Initially there were six participants, but one withdrew due to family issues. I was assisted by two of our Comboni Scholastics, Adolf Kisibo, from Uganda and Madalitso Kastomo Supia, from Mozambique.

The participants actively and eagerly participated in art through paper collage from magazines and newspapers, interpreting how the Lord is calling them to religious life, specifically in our Comboni Institute.

We started the workshop with “Praying with your fingertips: Collaging your Vocation story.” The participants actively and eagerly participated in art through paper collage from magazines and newspapers, interpreting how the Lord is calling them to religious life, specifically in our Comboni Institute. It was an amazing experience for everyone. The scholastics also offered their personal witnesses about their vocation story in “Sharing what is in your heart.” Bro. Paulo Felix gave a beautiful talk on “Brother among brothers.” I gave one talk on “Religious life could be yours” and another on “Stages of Formation in the Comboni Institute.”

We gathered for Taize prayers, a rosary hike, daily mass, and other devotions. The feedback indicates a very fulfilling experience for both the participants and the facilitators. In the end, four expressed their desire to join, though one is still very young, and another is still somewhat unsettled. Two are however very determined. Whatever the outcome may be, it is the Lord who invites them.