Vocation Stories

Normal, healthy family living provides the ideal climate for discovering what we want in life - and what God wants us to be. Encouragement and independence within families can help us develop the seed of vocation God has planted.

Noel Victor is the youngest son of a brood of ten, one of two boys in his family. His father is a farmer and his mother works at home as a housewife. Ever since his birth, he has been a very lovable and loving child. He was given the name Noel Victor, first, because he was born on Christmas day, and then because his mother had been “victorious” - at her old age, God had granted the family another child.

The apple of their eye

Noel Victor soon became the apple of his family’s eye. As he grew up, he learnt many things. His mother was his first teacher: she held his hand and led him in the sign of the cross. His elder sisters and only brother would dress him neatly and take him with them to attend Sunday Mass at their nearby parish church.

He was really hyper active and very curious about the things that surrounded him. While playing with older children, he would run and jump, and when his older brother called him to go home, he would refuse and just want to go on playing hide-and-seek. Young as he was, he was full of sociability; he always had the capacity to relate with his fellow children.

On one occasion, his brother was afraid that he had got lost, but then he found “NV” in the parish pastoral center attending a catechism class.

A blow

It was during his early elementary years that he was attracted to become an altar boy, and it was a great blow when he was told by the “sacristan mayor” that it was not yet his time because of his height - he still did not even reach the level of the altar.

He went home frustrated, but fortunately his father consoled him and said, “In everything there is proper time. In the eyes of God, we are all the same; he loves everyone and wants us to be in communion with him.” Noel Victor understood and he would always go with the whole family to Sunday Mass and other special occasions.

His family became of special importance to him as collaborators of grace and witnesses of faith. His parents encouraged him to celebrate life with Jesus as a family. He showed good example by being affectionate to his brother and sisters. His parents always found time to be available for all of them in the way they needed for their spiritual well-being and development.

Significant occasion

One of the most significant occasions in Noel Victor’s life was his First Holy Communion. His elder sisters cooked special pancit and food for him, and his mother bought a simple “stampita” as she always did for her children’s First Communion. She gave it to Noel Victor with a message written in their own dialect, and translated into English as: “Son, congratulations as you encounter the Lord. Thank Him!” Then at the bottom was written, “As I grow up I want to be….”. Noel Victor wrote that he wanted to become a priest.

As NV grew up, he became fond of playing basketball. He developed his skills enthusiastically, and was eventually chosen to be one of the members of his high school team. Of course, he became the talk of the campus, as a simple, well-mannered and well-rounded guy. He always influenced his teammates to go to Mass on Sunday before training. Sometimes, some of them would tease him by calling him “Father NV”.

He paid no attention to the teasing, but instead invited his friends to his home for snacks. There they often noticed that his family showed love for each other, sincerity, hospitality and openness. Through his genuine efforts and concern for others, he became the bridge for them to experience God’s presence. Many girls were attracted to him as an ideal young man. He simply said, “Thanks. I owe these qualities to my family,” and he maintained good, friendly relationships with them.

In touch

NV entered a famous university in Manila and took up Bachelor of Science in Social Work. While in the city, he always remained in contact with his parents through letter-writing. He shared his joys, and his difficulties in adjusting to the metropolis, especially during the first semester. He realized, though, that in every stage of life there is always a challenge, a new beginning.

We can find ourselves in an unfamiliar world without losing our independence and individuality, but instead aspiring for greater values in life by looking back to where we came from and being able to solve problems that come our way. NV maintained his cheerfulness and optimism in the different situations, as well as his ability to shoulder his personal responsibility. He also discovered that his own family loved him beyond space and time.

Deeper appreciation

As he moved through life, he learned many things. His capacity for interpersonal relationships led him to a deeper appreciation of vocation, of being called by God. He met a girl friend whom he admired so much. She was his classmate. He discovered his understanding of the opposite sex with due respect and without fear or alienation of self. They helped one another to grow and find the right path in life.

They both enjoyed helping one another in their studies without thinking of becoming possessive. They both became an inspiration to one another. In their last year at university, they had their final immersion program as part of their curriculum. They went to new areas open for community organizing and development. Related to that, they had house-to-house visits and integration with families.

They both saw the needs of many poor people - poor housing facilities, lack of education and so on. Noel Victor thought, “Ah Lord, what a miserable life these people have! They are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I need to help them to alleviate their conditions.”

The Cross over all

When he returned to the university, he passed by the church where he used to attend mass every Sunday, to pray for the people and the situations he had encountered. At the church door, there was a vocation poster, an invitation for young men to share Jesus’ mission. His heart was captivated, and he looked over and over again, especially at the logo about the world, and at the top of it there was a cross.

A lot of reflections and insights came to him. Why was that cross put on top of the world? He was deeply troubled thinking about all these things. He just concluded that, “The cross is a precious gift to the world by which God reigns despite life’s difficulties. The proclamation of the reign of God is a liberation from everything that oppresses people, and the renewal of this society happened because of the love of God.”

Little by little, this all made him think about his direction in life. So one month before his graduation in the university, he opened up his concern to his parents. Noel Victor wanted to be a religious missionary. His parents were surprised but grateful to God about the course he was contemplating.

Freedom and joy

His father just said, “Well, as parents we have our duty to help you find out what you want in life. We support you as we have done already for your sisters and brother. We have helped you with the necessary attitudes needed for your participation in Church life and in society. Your vocation is a call for you as an individual. You need to respond it accordingly with your freedom and joy.”

Noel Victor felt liberated and just nodded his head, while his mother went to her room and came back with the stampita and handed it over to him. She asked, “My son, do you remember that? I kept that from long ago, and I just want to remind you about your special encounter with Jesus.”

Joy really showed on the face of Noel Victor and he was on the verge of tears as he recalled the wonderful memories of yesteryears, the celebration, and the meal prepared by her sisters, and the love that endured until then. He recalled how he had written his ambition to become a priest someday.

Finding the courage

That time he also had the courage to talk to his girlfriend prior to his entrance to the seminary. He explained to her that one has to make choice in life and expressed what his heart’s desire was. It was painful at the very beginning, but she understood what it means to enter a seminary.

Noel Victor discovered that vocation is a call from God. When in the family there is openness and clear communication to convey dreams, joys, struggles and difficulties in life, one can find meaning and involvement at greater heights in life. He understood that his family helped him to be responsible in his communion with the world and in service to life. More so, he recognized that as he looked back to his family upbringing, his parents played an important role in recognizing God’s love for all people, and sharing that love he received for mission.<WM

Write to

Fr. Vincent and Fr. Marnie

Vocation team

Comboni Missionaries 282Roosevelt Ave

1105 Quezon City M.M

Philippines

Tel. 414-3164/372-5859

or E-mail:

postasia@i-manila.com.ph

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