Seminary rector credits papal visit for hike in vocations

Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines is being credited for an increase in vocations at a Metro Manila-based formation house.

Makati-based San Carlos Seminary rector Msgr. Hernando Coronel said the Church’s “intensified campaign for vocations” may also be a factor.

“We are glad that with the fervor of the laypeople, there is also an increase in vocations. Now put to the test is the level of perseverance of the seminarians and the quality of their commitment,” he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site.

Last January, Filipinos gave Pope Francis a warm welcome during his visit to the Philippines.

The Pope visited venues in Metro Manila and in Leyte, which was devastated by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in late 2013.

Coronel said the seminary saw an increase in the number of philosophy and theology students to 166 compared to 145 last year.

“There are more seminarians from the Archdiocese of Manila. There are also seminarians from as far as Borongan, Samar in the Visayas, and Tandag, Surigao del Sur in Mindanao,” he said.

Coronel said other possible factors include the “inspiring role” of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and the high trust levels enjoyed by the Church in the Philippine Trust Index survey. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News