Guided by the theme “Rowing into the Deep”, vocation promoters within the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) reflected on their mission as fishers of millennials called to join the Society of Jesus during their meeting in Yangon, Myanmar from February 4 to 8.
In his discussion on vocational accompaniment, Fr Roger Champoux SJ stressed the importance of accompanying candidates towards greater wholeness and human integration. Some vocation promoters double as candidacy directors and Fr Champoux emphasised the role of the latter in helping candidates to gain affective maturity especially in living out the religious vows. He also reminded vocation promoters that they are equipped with knowledge and skills in psycho-spirituality to accompany vocation prospects through their discernment, and this includes detecting the prospect’s self-ideal and real self. The “self-ideal” is a person’s set of values or dreams while the “actual self” refers to the needs and emotions of the person that manifest over time.
“What is predominant in someone entering the vocation is self-ideal. But the real self would make the person remain in the vocation,” Fr Champoux told the vocation promoters.
Borrowing the image of the parable of the hidden treasure, Fr Champoux further challenged the promoters to present their “treasure” – their charism and gifts – to young men in a manner that appeals to their ideal self. “Is our charism a ‘treasure’ for the Church and the world? How do we present our ‘treasure’ to them?” he asked.
Fr Champoux pointed out that vocation promoters also have to accompany the prospect towards greater affective integration. “How do we help those who want to buy? Do they truly want to buy the treasure? (what is their motivation?) Do they have the capacity to buy it? In other words, can they make it? Are they suitable for the religious life?” he continued.
The vocation promoters also discussed strategies for more effective vocation promotion. Norman Agatep, chairman of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines and chairman of the Ad Standards Council of the Philippines, flew in from Manila to present to them the basics of marketing and branding. He guided them in understanding the strategy brief, brand story, prospect and category, and channels and tools used in marketing. He also presented the profile of millennials in the countries JCAP covers.
Throughout the meeting, the participants listened and learnt from each other’s experiences. Most of them expressed optimism in creating a strategic plan for vocation promotion in their respective provinces or regions. While some shared their struggles, all of the participants were inspired to improve their vocation promotion activities by integrating the marketing trends and strategies that Agatep presented.
Also at the meeting were JCAP Delegate for Formation Fr Riyo Mursanto SJ and JCAP President Fr Antonio Moreno SJ. Fr Moreno stressed to the vocation promoters the importance of intersecting individual plans with the strategic plan of the province and even of JCAP, while Fr Mursanto commended the promoters for their efforts in promoting the Jesuit vocation. He encouraged them to plan systematically and to collaborate with others who might provide useful help in their work.