Under the theme “Examine yourselves,” more than sixty students from various parishes and schools of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan took part in a two-day camp organized by the Vocations Office of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem at the Our Lady of Peace Center, beginning on Friday, January 16, 2026.
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5) was the verse that inspired this spiritual and formative encounter. The camp was centered on inviting young people to become more aware of themselves and of their relationship with God, while offering them guidance along the path of vocational discernment at this crucial stage of their lives.
The camp opened with the celebration of the Holy Mass, which set the tone for the shared spiritual journey, fostering an atmosphere of prayer, attentive listening, and a sincere search for the will of God.
The participants then listened to a spiritual talk entitled “What does it mean to be human and Christian?” given by Fr. Wajdi Twal, spiritual chaplain of Catholic youth in Jordan.
In his reflection, he addressed the human dimension of the Christian faith and emphasized the importance for every person to cultivate an active and responsible relationship with God, one that is reflected in daily choices and a concrete way of life.
His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, honored the camp with his presence, meeting with the participants and offering them a paternal reflection on the theme of vocation. He encouraged the young people to listen to the voice of God with courage and trust, and not to be afraid to commit themselves to the path to which the Lord calls them. The encounter concluded with an open question-and-answer session with the Patriarch, marked by simplicity and sincerity, which left a deep impression on the hearts of the youth.
Divided into groups, the participants took part in interactive discussions centered on biblical and spiritual texts, helping to guide them toward personal reflection.
In an atmosphere of interior silence and prayer, they participated in an hour of Eucharistic adoration, while the Sacrament of Reconciliation was made available.
The first day concluded with Vespers, followed by an evening of activities prepared by Fr. Michael Dheib, aimed at fostering fraternity and joy among the participants.
On the second day, the participants began with Morning Prayer, followed by a series of educational games and activities inspired by Sacred Scripture and the teaching of the Catholic Church, presented in a pedagogical manner suited to the age group.
Fr. Abdallah Dababneh, Director of Vocations, gave a talk entitled “What does it mean to be called? And how do I discern my vocation?” In his presentation, he explored the concept of the Christian vocation in its various dimensions, highlighting the importance of spiritual discernment, accompaniment, and interior freedom in making life-defining decisions, grounded in sincere listening to the voice of God in daily life.
The concluding Mass was presided over by Fr. Wajdi Sahawneh and constituted the summit of the camp, as well as a renewed sending forth for the participants to continue their spiritual journey with greater awareness and maturity.
This camp is part of a series of meetings aimed at fulfilling the mission of the Vocations Office of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which seeks to raise awareness among young people as they discern their vocation and to accompany them toward a deeper understanding of the Christian vocation in its various forms, whether to the priesthood, consecrated life, marriage, or lay commitment in the Church and in the world. These initiatives aim to renew a culture of vocation and to foster vocational awareness and understanding among young people, especially at this pivotal stage of life when major choices are made and the foundations of the future are laid, encouraging a living journey of faith rooted in attentive listening, freedom, and responsible choice, in the heart of and together with the Church.
