The Xaverian Missionaries in the Philippines conducted a Come and See program in different parts of the country. The program is intended for those young people who want to experience religious life in the Xaverian congregation. Fr. Justine Hibur SX, the vocation promoter of the congregation found places which are best fitting to conduct this vocation promotion activity. This activity took place in three areas. It was in Mindanao-Bukidnon, Leyte-Caibiran and in Quezon City, Project 8. The said program started on the 27th of December 2018 and finished on the 5th of January 2019.
On the 27th of December, the group of Quezon City started the activity with Fr. Javier Beltran, SX, Fr. Simone Piccolo, SX and Fr. Cesar da Silva, SX and the collaboration of the Novices, Postulants, and the College seminarian. There were five participants who joined the three days program and which, according to them a successful and wonderful moment for their vocational journey.
Meanwhile, Fr. Justine Hibur, SX, and Fr. Petrus Hardiyanto, SX, the Rector of the philosophy seminary traveled from Manila and arrived in Bukidnon on the 28th of December 2018. On the next day, they proceed directly to the activity. Four young people attended the two days program which comprises English and I.Q tests. Interviews were performed on the last day of the activity and concluded with a shared meal which is something peculiar in the Xaverian community. Thereupon, Fr. Petrus spent the rest of the time to visit the respective families and houses of the seminarians.
From Bukidnon, the same priests traveled to Caibiran, Leyte where seven young people were waiting for the activity. On the first day of the program, that was on the 3rd of January 2019, the participants coming from different schools were present. They took the English and I.Q tests and were enthusiastically listening to the talks given by the priest and the seminarians.
“It was a tiring but a wonderful experience to be with the people who have the potential to be religious” these are the words from the two dedicated and enthusiastic Xaverian priests. Nevertheless, doing vocation promotion is not only about finding candidates, but also a Xaverian way to proclaim the Good News of Christ Jesus.
