My Vocation Story

            My name is Charles L. Cuizon, a fourth year seminarian of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. When I look back at the time when I heard God’s calling. I realize that it was truly a mystery. I heard God’s calling when I was a third year high school but back then I never give it much attention. I thought that it was just an empty dream which was very far from reality. I was just surprised in one incident of my life where God stirred my sleeping zeal for this vocation. He let me realize the essential things in life and I do believe that it was His means in order for me to pursue this aspiration.

        When I was a fourth year high school student, my mother kept on asking me what degree I planned to take in college. At that time, I was confused whether to take Electrical engineering like my cousin so that I could go along with him to the same university; Dentistry as what my mother suggested or a Nautical related degree like most of my classmates’ choice. I was so confused at that time and I even thought of giving up college. Consequently, my mother scolded me and asked me to think and think and think.

        Wanting to save my life’s direction, I tried to recall my experiences .When I was in third year high school, I used to read Misyon Magazine which was supplied by our school. I had special fondness on a certain column called “The Vocation Story” which featured different vocation stories of missionary, religious, diocesan priests, nuns, seminarians and lay volunteers who opted to serve and submit themselves to God despite the obstacles in their individual lives. Such vocation stories opened my eyes to the essential things in life and its purpose which is to serve God and our fellowmen. I then told myself, here was my discovery: I wanted to offer my life to God and share myself to my fellowmen through service and faith. I wanted my heart to rest in God like what St. Augustine said “My heart is restless till it rest in thee, my God.”

          Like dark clouds blown away by the wind, the doubts disappeared to my mind. My firm decision was to enter the seminary to fulfill my aspiration to become a priest. Yet, when I told my mother about my plan, she was pessimistic and even predicted that I could not survive in the seminary. I stood in my decision and with my insistence my mother finally yielded and gave me her blessing. I took the entrance examination, attended the orientation, underwent the interview and got accepted in the seminary.

           Time runs so fast and with time, changes in my life unfold little by little. Before I knew it, the difference has become great, both intrinsically and extrinsically. My perception of life has changed and so as my life style. I have a new identity; I am now a seminarian. Even my mother who at first opposed my decision is now my number one supporter.

           Recalling those trials in my life as I responded to the call of God and even when I’m on the process of formation, I could say that, all is really a blessing from God. I did not expect that I could arrive at this point of my life. Inspite of my limitedness, mistakes, and weaknesses during the process of formation, I still see the hand of God guiding me.

           I am now grabbing this rare opportunity and gift from God in pursuing this vocation. I am taking a leap of faith. Even if I know that I have limitations but I know that if it is God’s will, it will truly come to be.