It was 1972 when a handful of concerned individuals decided to address the reality of vocations in the Philippines more systematically and vigorously. At the beginning their group was called the “National Board on Vocations.” Their very first meeting was held at the Pius XII Catholic Center, Manila on March 14, 1972, a day after the National Center of Vocations formally began operation in the same place. This group was then composed of the following:

1. Most Rev. Ricardo J. Vidal, D.D.
2. Most Rev. Antonio Frondosa, D.D.
3. Most. Rev. Artemio G. Casas, D.D.
4. Msgr. Justino C. Ortiz, D.P.
5. Fr. Cirilo Almario
6. Fr. Venancio Samson
7. Fr. Simeon Valerio, SVD
8. Fr. Jesus Ma. Cavanna, C.M.
9. Mr. Armando L.Mercado

The first important accomplishment of the National Board on Vocations was the formulation of the Plan of Action for Vocations in the Philippines, entitled “A Pastoral Approach to the Vocation Apostolate.” The Plan of Action was the result of a series of meetings at Pius XII. The same plan was submitted by the Board to the Episcopal Commission on Vocations which immediately presented the plan for the CBCP’s approval. In July 22, 1974 the Plan of Action was approved by the CBCP. After its approval in 1974, it was transmitted to the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education.

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Two months earlier, on May 20-22, 1974 during the first National Convention of the Directors/Directresses of the Vocations, the DVP (Directors of Vocations in the Philippines) was formally organized with the following officers:

President: Fr. Gregorio Mirto, Jr.
V. Pres. (Luzon): Fr. Steve Villarosa, SVD
V. Pres. (Visayas): Fr. Ben Lepatan
V. Pres. (Mindanao): Fr. Patrice Picard, P.M.E.
Treasurer: Bro. Tito Silverio, SJ
Secretary: Sr. Ma. Soledad Perpinan, RGS

The ECV-DVP has for the last 50 years pursued relevant vocation programs through:

 

1. Vigorous coordination with all Diocesan and Religious Coordinators on the national and religious levels.

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2. National Conventions which provided policy directions for the formulation of guidelines and strategies for coordination, implementation, and evaluation of vocation activities.

 

3. Development of training programs for the formation and enhancement of skills, updating of knowledge of vocation directors/directresses. At present, the DVP facilitates four modules for Vocation animators:

 Phase 1 – Basic Orientation Seminar on Vocation Animation
 Phase 2 – Spiritual Direction in Vocation Discernment
 Phase 3 – Family Relations in the Vocation Journey
 Phase 4 – Human Sexuality in the Vocation Journey

4. Monitoring of developments and situations crucial to the integrity of vocations from promotion, recruitment, and entry into a chosen and specific vocation. For instance, in the past few years, the ECV-DVP has issued guidelines regarding “indiscriminate vocation recruitment”.

First organized in 1974 by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Directors of Vocations in the Philippines (DVP) is composed of vocation directors/ directresses and lay vocation promoters from dioceses, parishes, religious congregations, secular institutes and lay associations.

DVP aims to provide a comprehensive pastoral approach to vocation promotions apostolate by:

1. Promoting vocations to the diocesan and religious priesthood, the religious life, the secular institutes, and the missionary life.

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2. Fostering religious and apostolic spirit among the vocation directors/directresses. Priests, religious brothers,religious sisters, lay groups, and vocation prospects.
Guided by the general orientations of Vatican II on Vocation Promotions, DVP strives to mobilize the “whole Christian community to foster vocations so that sufficient provisions are made for the needs of the sacred ministry throughout the entire. Church.”
DVP also has a responsibility to implement the resolutions of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II). It coordinates with dioceses, parishes, schools, and other ecclesial communities, in the effort to encourage and stimulate vocational awareness and activities.