As the employment market becomes increasingly more competitive, many job-seeking graduates are now resorting to having their résumés or qualifications blessed. Nica, a nursing graduate, went to the Monasterio de Sta. Clara in the suburbs of Quezon City to have her résumé blessed. “We all know how difficult it is to find a job nowadays so I was thinking maybe if I pray here and have my résumé blessed it would help me land a job,” she said. Monsignor Clemente Ignacio, rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Manila, said he isn’t surprised people think that by having their résumés blessed their fortunes might change. “It’s right to ask blessings from God because based on our experience many prayers are really being answered,” he said. “A blessing is also a prayer ... it is not done on sacred objects only,” added Monsignor Ignacio. The priest, however, reminded the faithful not to feel bad if they don’t get the result they want from their prayer. “All prayers are answered but it depends on how God answers our prayers because sometimes there is a better plan for us,” Ignacio said. Legaspi Bishop Joel Baylon, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Youth (CBCP-ECY), reminded job applicants to do their part and not solely rely on God’s help. “It’s OK to ask for help but an individual should also make some effort because a career is not something that is automatically given to us,” he said. The Philippine Commission on Higher Education said, around 431,592 students were expected to graduate this year. PM13842.1648