“My vocation, at last, I have found it, my vocation is to love.”
St. Therese of the Child Jesus
All of us are called to the same vocation: to LOVE. My name is Jude Patrick M. Cabelin, and I am 17 years old from the City of Calbayog, Province of Samar. My father, Florante V. Cabelin, is a Licensed Criminologist, while my mother, Jonalyn M. Cabelin, is a Licensed Professional Teacher. I am the eldest among my siblings. Next to me is Gil Vincent M. Cabelin, who is 12 years old and currently in Grade 8. The youngest of us is Paulette Mavijoy M. Cabelin, two years old. She is still the Princess of our family.
My vocation took root in my family. Rain or shine, my Lola attended church every Sunday. Despite her arthritis, she persisted in nourishing her spirit with the Word of God. As a child, I preferred watching cartoons, especially on weekends. However, my Lola always encouraged (and sometimes scolded) me to prioritize church over television. She instilled in me knowledge about the church and taught me how to pray especially the Holy Rosary. In essence, my Lola was my first catechist. She involved me in church activities like Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan. Her influence led me to be active in the parish and our barangay chapel.
I served at St. Joachim Parish and led the youth in our St. Therese of the Child Jesus Chapel. Other parishes sometimes invited me to speak on various topics during their youth activities. I was also a catechist, teaching children during Flores De Mayo and giving pre-Jordan seminars to those preparing for baptism. Furthermore, I was a founding member of the Lectors and Commentators Ministry in our Chapel and participated in several choir ministries. Before entering the seminary, I established the Sacristan ni Santa Teresita Ministry, or the Altar Server Ministry, in our chapel. Serving the church was a fulfilling experience. As St. Therese of Lisieux said, "Do ordinary things with extraordinary love." These ministries led me to the seminary.
Besides my experiences in some ministries, God also uses people to inspire our callings. I once asked my mother about priests ordained from our parish, which led to a discussion about Fr. Patrick Santianez. As she spoke of Fr. Patrick's time during the Ebola Virus outbreak, I felt a calling to follow in his footsteps. This drive to spread the gospel emerged within me. Even as a Grade 10 student during the pandemic, when Fr. Patrick invited me to an “Online Search-in”, I immediately agreed. From teaching children in Flores de Mayo to leading the youth in the church, I find myself now in the seminary.
This burning desire to share the Word of God, to love and be loved, led me to say 'yes' to the Lord. Under the guidance of Mama Mary, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Guido Maria Conforti and St. Francis Xavier, I aspired to become a missionary. While doubts linger about whether this vocation truly is for me, I trust that God has placed me here for a reason.