Camp and See...

I think it was in 2005 when I proposed to the Diocesan Vocation Directors to gather the youth of the Ecclesiastical Province of Manila for a Vocation Camp in Antipolo.  This camp is supposed to challenge the youth for a deeper soul-searching of God's particular calling for them through a three-day camp immersed in talks, games, workshops, prayer and reflection and a concert.

So one weekend in February 2006, 250 of them came.  We were assisted by seminarians, religious men and women and lay animators for this beautiful gathering at the John Paul II Minor Seminary in Antipolo.  Truly, it became a time for building community with God and the invitation for everyone was to "camp and see..."

The logo that I designed was a play of symbols of a tent and campfire.  The fire comes from 8 logs representing the dioceses that participated - Manila, Antipolo, Cubao, Kalookan, Novaliches, Paranaque, Pasig and the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines.  The fire that was built carried on the image of Jesus.  It means that He is present amongst the participants and He is the reason why they are gathered.  At the background is a triangle meant to represent a tent, their dwelling-place for the three days of the gathering.  But it is also meant to symbolize that the gathering, one imbued with concrete responses to God, can have the life of the Trinity - the model of a perfect relationship - as their reason for serving and self-donation.

It was truly a beautiful camp.  It was an experience worth inviting many to CAMP & SEE!