Missionary Experiences – Comboni Lay Missionaries

2026 Youth leaders training session at holy family of Nazareth parish – Klikamé-Dangbessito Lome from 10-15th August

15 September, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

Theme: “Young People, Talents for Mary”

About fifty young people, six days of training, talents discovered, and a meaningful experience of faith, sharing, and learning!

From August 10 to 15, 2026, Holy Family of Nazareth Parish in Klikamé-Dangbessito hosted the 2026 Youth Leaders Training Session, organized by the Comboni Lay Missionary Candidates of Togo (CLM) in collaboration with the Legion of Mary.

The initiative brought together about fifty young people for a program designed to support their human and spiritual development while enabling them to discover, develop, and make the most of their talents.

The session was centered on Mary, who was presented on the first day as the “Star of Youth” by Father Aubin-Ephrem Biney, parish priest.

Through the life and virtues of Mary, the young participants were encouraged to cultivate humility, patience, resilience, compassion, prayer, and a spirit of service—values that are essential for becoming responsible leaders.

Topics Addressing the Challenges Facing Young People

Throughout the session, several important topics were addressed.

Personal and Environmental Hygiene, presented by Jean-Baptiste Gnimassoun, LMC, helped raise awareness among the young participants about the importance of personal hygiene, cleanliness, and environmental protection.

21st-Century Skills, presented by Ernest Botri, LMC, helped participants discover the importance of creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and other skills needed to succeed in today’s world.

Human and Spiritual Formation

Young People, social media and Artificial Intelligence, presented by Sister Elizabeth Corte Imperial, Comboni Missionary Sister, provided an opportunity to reflect on the responsible use of digital technologies.

The session also addressed human sexuality, its different dimensions, and the risks associated with irresponsible sexual behavior, with the aim of promoting responsibility and respect for oneself and others.

A Screening of the Film “Bernadette Soubirous”

The third day featured a special cultural and spiritual activity: the screening of a film about Bernadette Soubirous.

Through the story of this young girl and her experience of faith, the participants were invited to reflect on values such as faith, perseverance, humility, and fidelity to one’s convictions.

The screening complemented the spiritual teachings of the session and provided an opportunity for reflection and sharing among the young participants.

Turning Talents into Skills

An important part of the session was devoted to practical workshops, allowing the young people to learn by doing and develop concrete skills.

Knitting: making beanies and scrunchies; Beadwork: making necklaces, bracelets, and key rings.

Shoemaking: learning about different models and patterns and making “Prince,” “Princess,” and crossed-shoe models. Cooking: preparing peanut snacks, cakes, finger foods, decorating a wedding cake, and making liquid soap.

These workshops encouraged creativity, patience, precision, self-reliance, initiative, and teamwork.

A Closing Celebration of Young People’s Talents

The session concluded with a Closing Mass, followed by an exhibition and sale of products made by the young participants.

The exhibition gave participants an opportunity to showcase their creations and demonstrate how a talent can be discovered, developed, and transformed into a useful skill.

Through this session, the organizers sought to remind everyone that young people are not only the future: they are a vital force in the present, capable of actively contributing to the transformation of society.

“Young People, Talents for Mary”: Discover, develop, value, and serve!

Ernest A. S. Botri

We Keep Moving Forward

14 September, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

We are happy to share with you that we have just celebrated our 6-month anniversary in Brazil; it has been a challenge to settle back in and readjust. Thank God we’ve been able to get started with various activities and projects, since a helping hand is always welcome.

We’re working pastorally with two communities, trying to encourage them to grow little by little and to get more people involved in the work. We’re also supporting prison ministry, working with ministers of the Word, and providing catechumenate instruction, among other things.

We have carried out various activities, including family ministry with married couples, catechizing engaged couples preparing for marriage, and participating in an evangelization and awareness-raising event focused on the BETS theme. This initiative brought to light many cases of gambling abuse in the area and raises the question: What must we do as Christians to prevent this in our society?

We have also been working to identify and implement projects that can support the development of children, youth, and adults in the region. With great joy, we launched several language courses at the Comboni House—including English, Spanish, and French—as well as at the Ype Amarelo Association. It encourages us to see that there are young people and adults interested in acquiring new knowledge and skills that can help them secure better job opportunities and fulfill their dreams at the same time.

We continue with the training and therapy group for women, focused on evangelization, self-help topics, and crafts. We hope to start courses in drawing and painting, as well as monthly talks to inform and raise awareness about drug use and violence against women.

The peripheries always speak of a marginalization that shifts its focus over time—a neglect that affects new generations, especially today in the areas of education and family unity.

We ask for your prayers so that we may do God’s will and help those in need of comfort amid so much sadness and uncertainty.

May St. Daniel Comboni continue to intercede for the missionary work that all of us in the CLM carry out as one great community, and may everything be for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

A fraternal embrace.

Alejandro and Ana Cris

CLM of Guatemala in Brazil

A Heartfelt Farewell to Marzena Gibek

2 September, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

On 3 August, Marzena Gibek completed her three-year missionary service in Kitelakapel, West Pokot, and returned to Poland.

Over the past three years, Marzena dedicated herself wholeheartedly to serving the people of West Pokot. As a physiotherapist at Kitelakapel Dispensary, she cared for countless patients with compassion, professionalism, and love, bringing healing, hope, and comfort to many families.

Her mission reached far beyond healthcare. Marzena also faithfully cared for the chapel in Kitelakapel, helping to make it a welcoming place of prayer and worship. She empowered local women by organizing sewing workshops and teaching them how to make beautiful bracelets, giving them practical skills, confidence, and new opportunities.

Saying goodbye was not easy. The people of Kitelakapel gathered to express their deep gratitude for her selfless service, kindness, and friendship. Our missionary community in Kenya also gave her a warm and emotional farewell. It was a beautiful moment filled with thanksgiving, love, and many cherished memories.

Dear Marzena, thank you for your three years of faithful missionary service. Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents, your time, and your heart with the people of Kitelakapel. May God bless you abundantly as you begin this new chapter of your life, and may the love and hope you planted here continue to bear fruit for many years to come.

We will miss you, and you will always have a special place in our hearts.

God bless you, and thank you for everything!

CLM Kenya

Mission in Arauca

21 July, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

Under the motto “Let’s Make La Esmeralda the Land of the Virgin,” a pilgrimage begins through the various villages that make up La Esmeralda.

From May 17 through July 15, these villages are supported through the prayer of the Rosary, Marian catechesis, and lectio divina, which includes prayer and reflection.

Visits are made to families and the sick in the various areas, bringing a message of hope, faith, and love, rooted in the Comboni charism. This helps the villages maintain bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood and deepen their faith.

For us as missionaries, every activity is a process of learning and constant human and spiritual growth.

From June 12 to 15, 2026, we experienced a time of faith, fellowship, and renewal during the National Spiritual Retreat for Comboni Lay Missionaries in Arauca.

These were days to pause, listen to God’s voice, strengthen our spirituality, and share—as a missionary family—the call to serve with love and commitment.

Every moment we lived, every reflection we shared, and every fraternal encounter reminded us that the mission springs from a heart that allows itself to be transformed by God.

In our workshop with older adults, we reflected on “The Treasure of Our Life,” recognizing that every experience, every lesson, and every story we’ve lived is a gift from God that enriches our families and communities.

More than just reminiscing about the past, it was a time to give thanks for the journey we’ve taken, to strengthen our faith, and to discover that the true treasure lies in shared love, enduring hope, and God’s presence at every stage of life.

Janet and Jenny, CLM Colombia

We Returned to Manzanillo to Continue Rowing in Peter’s Boat

7 July, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

On July 4, as Comboni Lay Missionaries, we had the joy of returning once again to the community of Manzanillo to continue sharing the mission, our faith, and our closeness with our brothers and sisters.

In the morning, we held a pediatric medical clinic, where we were able to care for the youngest members of the community. It was an opportunity for service, listening, and companionship, during which we provided medical care, diagnoses, and medication. Each child we cared for reminded us of the importance of a mission that proclaims the Gospel not only with words but also through concrete gestures of love and care.

Seeing the families arrive with trust and hope filled our hearts. As a missionary community, we understand that serving is also a way of evangelizing, especially when God’s love is made present in caring for those who need it most.

In the afternoon, we gathered with the adults of the community to reflect together on the theme “Peter’s Boat.” This moment invited us to recognize that we are all called to board that boat which is the Church—a boat that sometimes faces strong winds, weariness, or uncertainty, but which continues to move forward because Christ is with us.

In the midst of our reflection, we also shared a very special and fraternal moment: we baked an “impossible cake” together. More than just a recipe, it was an experience of connection, teamwork, and shared joy. In the end, the cake was shared among the members of the community, becoming a simple yet profound sign of communion.

This visit reminded us that mission is built step by step, through constant presence, listening, service, and small gestures that speak of God’s love. Manzanillo continues to be for us a place of encounter, learning, and hope.

We give thanks to God for allowing us to return, for every child we served, for every family we welcomed, for every smile shared, and for the opportunity to continue walking alongside this community.

As St. Daniel Comboni said: “The mission is carried out on one’s knees.”

May every visit, every act of service, and every fraternal gesture help us continue rowing together in Peter’s Boat, always trusting that Christ guides our mission.

CLM Guatemala