This first week of September we were invited to participate in a vocational week at a Marist school in the district of Barranco.

The vocational week became an unexpected journey, a tour of the concerns and aspirations of the teenagers. With each activity, a torrent of emotions, thoughts and questions were unleashed that seemed to float in the air, waiting for the right moment to be expressed. From the first moment, the atmosphere was filled with a palpable mix of enthusiasm and nervousness. The students, in search of their identity, found themselves face to face with endless possibilities. Congregations of religious men and women, couples, professionals, and priests were present and caused them to ask themselves those big questions that haunt them: “What do I want to do with my life? What is my purpose? How can I find my passion?” It was evident that many of them felt the weight of uncertainty, a burden that they seemed to carry on their shoulders.

Throughout the day, we witnessed transformations. Vacant eyes began to sparkle with curiosity. Teenagers began to open up, sharing their doubts and vulnerabilities, revealing their deepest longings. Some felt lost, caught in a sea of ​​options, while others found the strength to explore paths they had never dared to imagine.

We realized that, deep down, we all long for the same thing: to find a purpose that gives meaning to our existence. And while the path to vocation can be uncertain and often complicated, this journey taught us that they are not alone.

At the end of this enriching experience, we take with us much more than answers. We take with us a renewed sense of community, the certainty that every doubt is a step towards self-understanding, and the hope of seeing adolescents flourish in their own truths. Vocations week has come to a close, but its impact will endure in every heart that, brave and determined, continues to seek the echo of its own vocation.