VOCATION TESTIMONIES

Fr. Aquilino Bocos, CMF
Via S. Cuore di Maria, 5
00197, Roma

How did your missionary vocation start?
I remember several things:

1) The preaching of some Missionary Sons of the Heart of Mary (Claretian missionaries)
2) The estampitas -pictures- of Fr. Claret that they gave me when I was still a child.
3) The devotion to Fr. Claret in my family.

How was your vocation discernment?
I entered the seminary at age 12, fully convinced that this was my vocation. I told so to my parents and to the priest. There were other invitations to enter in different religious Congregations, but it was clear from the beginning that to be Claretian was my personal choice.

What was the reaction of your parents when you told them that you wanted to become a Claretian?
That I had to think and decide well. That they will agree with whatever decision I take. They were very good Christians.

Do you think it is worth to become missionary nowadays?
To become missionary is worth today more than ever before. How not to be generous with the One who gave up everything for us? How to remain inactive, inhibited, with such a great need that Jesus be known and followed as Light, Truth and Life of this world?

What would you advise these young people who are now in their vocation discernment?
Be generous and remove all doubts; God loves and is always with us to make us instruments of his love.