America – Comboni Lay Missionaries

Missionary sending of the first CLM in Costa Rica

5 February, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

Gospel according to Matthew 28:20: “…and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

January 25 was a very important day for the CLM of Costa Rica, as the Missionary Sending Mass was held in their home parish, Our Lady of Mercy, Palmares, Alajuela, presided over by Monsignor Bartolomé Buigues Oller, Bishop of Alajuela, who gave his blessing and sent our brother José David Rojas Quesada on his mission. He also shared with him the Word of God as a sign of the task entrusted to him, the Cross as a sign of the Missionary Sending and witness of God, and the Light as a sign that leads to the Living and Risen Christ. On February 12, José David will be traveling to his Ad Gentes mission in the Central African Republic, specifically to the Mongoumba mission, where he will be building community and working on that mission alongside Teresa, Élia, and Neema. We would like to share with you some words that our companion wrote for this occasion:

“Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel.”

These words resonate in my mind and heart. The path has not been easy: it has been uphill, dusty, and, on many occasions, full of chasms.

I remember as if it were yesterday when I was 7 years old—yes, I imagine many of you are doing the math—because exactly 37 years ago I began my service as an altar boy. As the days, months, and years went by, I fell more and more in love with this spirit of service, a gift that has been given to me freely and that I will continue to share freely.

The prophet Samuel is very significant to me, and I make his words my own: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Although there were times in the desert, times when I forgot God, my sin and my smallness enveloped me and, like any of us, I allowed myself to be seduced. However, He seduced me first, and I set myself the task of returning to my first love. If the trials were hard before, at that moment they began to be even harder, but always with God ahead of me and with Mother Mary.

That first love blossomed more strongly. And although I am still the greatest of sinners, I still have a long way to go before I can say that I have been configured to Christ. Every day I struggle to become so; I will continue to try and give my best effort.

I give infinite thanks to God for the opportunity to have a family that, although not perfect, has always supported me. Today my mother, who was my confidante, friend, and protector, is no longer physically with me, but I am sure that from heaven she is watching over me and still pulling my ears. I love you, my little cabbage hands, my old lady.

I am still blessed to have my father, and I pray to God to take care of him, to grant him good health in body and soul, and that he may continue to enjoy many more championships of the LDA soccer team he loves. To my three brothers, I love you; take care of Dad as he has taken care of us. To my nine nephews and nieces: take care of your grandfather, love him as he loves you, and remember that this uncle loves you very much and that whenever I can, I will be there for you.

May God always be at the center of your hearts; draw close to Him. The Eucharist is the most beautiful, sincere, and simple way to have Him. And when you go to pray, ask God for this member of the family who, even though he is far away, always carries you in his heart.

My family by choice, my Comboni Family: in you I have truly found a direction. Everything I have learned and experienced has strengthened me and made me a missionary who is not afraid to give my life for the mission. St. Daniel Comboni has been the inspiration for wanting to leave everything for the Whole, and to fearlessly give my life for the most needy and forgotten.

To my companions in the Comboni Lay Missionaries group, let yourselves be struck by the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May St. Daniel Comboni encourage you. Remember what he used to say: every missionary must have a pig’s stomach to eat everything, a camel’s knees for prayer, and a donkey’s back to carry his backpack. God’s works are born and grow at the foot of the cross; Comboni said it well, because he knew that the mission is not easy and that it must be lived with great responsibility, but above all with commitment.

There are so many people who undoubtedly occupy a very significant place in my heart: uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, so many people whom I truly value. I always pray to God to bless them abundantly. I wanted to invite more people, but the civic hall for these times was too small for us.

Infinite thanks to God for the gift of friendship, which I am sure will continue to be strengthened through prayer. Infinite thanks for every word of encouragement and every contribution. God has truly surrounded me with angels: people who trust in my vocation and, even more, in the mission. I am sure that during my time on mission you will continue to support me in the same way, because—to be honest—I need it.

I feel great peace in my heart. We have fought and overcome many situations that only the strength and peace that come from above have made possible.

Thank you, thank you, and a thousand times thank you.

We will only be 11,000 kilometers away, about 40 hours of travel, but very united in prayer. Thank you for sharing as a family, because we are all family: some by blood, but without a doubt, family because of the greatest treasure we have, our Heavenly Father.

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News, making them my disciples.”

May God bless you greatly. May Our Blessed Mother cover you with her blessed mantle, and may St. Daniel Comboni intercedes so that your love and missionary zeal may always be a source of inspiration.

And again, THANK YOU.

CLM Costa Rica

Signs of Hope in our Being and Missionary Work

2 February, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

On January 30 and 31 and February 1, 2026, the group of Comboni Lay Missionaries of Peru held its National Assembly in Lima, a meeting that brought us together to reflect, evaluate, and revitalize our way of life and missionary commitment.

Guided by the theme “Signs of Hope in our Missionary Being and Doing,” members of the communities of Lima and Trujillo, accompanied by our advisor Fr. Gianni MCCJ, gathered in Chorrillos thanks to the careful organization of the national team.

During these days, we conducted a thorough review of our missionary work, sharing a sincere evaluation of achievements, difficulties, and lessons learned. It was a space to exchange experiences, express concerns, and nurture common dreams, thus strengthening the bonds that unite us as a sent community.

The assembly culminated with a Eucharist of commitment, which sealed in our hearts the signs of hope that, as lay missionaries, we want to embody and offer throughout the year 2026.

Among the most significant agreements, we highlight:

To assume greater responsibility for our commitments within the CLM, including financial support through voluntary contributions
To prepare ourselves to welcome with fraternity and accompany the Comboni Lay Missionaries who will join the mission in Peru from Kenya, Africa

This meeting has rekindled our missionary spirit and confirmed that, through communion and shared dedication, we are called to be tangible signs of hope in our land.

CLM-Peru

Prayer Intentions of the Comboni Family February 2026

1 February, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

That all institutes of consecrated life may grow in communion and collaboration, recognising the strength that comes from a common vocation and diversity of charisms. Let us pray.

Coming together strengthens our collective journey

14 January, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

Participating in COP-30 in November 2025 and the Comboni Family Forum was a very memorable experience in my life. These were intense days of listening, learning, and sharing, during which I was able to closely follow important debates on climate justice, care for our Common Home, and the defense of peoples and territories.

During those days, I had some very meaningful experiences, such as Tapiri, a space for interreligious dialogue marked by respect, listening, and diversity of beliefs. I also had the opportunity to learn more about the work that the Comboni Missionaries do in other countries, which broadened my view of the struggles, challenges, and commitments undertaken in different realities.

Another very important moment was the visit to the community of Piquiá. This visit allowed us to present to the participants of the Comboni Family Forum, who came from outside, a little of our history, our struggles, and the resistance of our people. They visited the Frei Tito Community Center and also communities in the interior. It was a moment of sharing, visibility, and strengthening of our collective journey.

It was very good to see people again, talk to new people, and learn about different cultures. I take with me every conversation, every lesson learned, and every story lived. It was a remarkable experience, and I returned even stronger to continue on the journey, with faith, responsibility, and commitment to social and environmental transformation.

Mainara Bezerra, young woman from Piquiá/MA/Brazil

Posadas: a tradition in Mexico

5 January, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

In my experience as a Mexican, there are many traditions in this country, some of which date back a long time and have been passed down from generation to generation, such as the posadas. Beyond just attending for the sweets that are given to us at the end of each one, we remember the journey that Joseph and Mary had to take to find a place for Jesus to be born. Since they couldn’t find a posada, as they were called back then (nowadays it would be like a hotel room), all they could offer them was a stable, which they accepted with great love.

This tradition of posadas is organized and sung in different parts of the country, each place with its own customs, but with that special touch of what is really being commemorated and what it means.

In my family, we organize it this way: nine of the members take one posada per day, and it is their turn to give aguinaldos or some snacks such as a hot drink, better known as ponche, if they can afford it, since it is cold and this is one of the signs that reminds us that Christmas is coming. The rosary is prayed at the end of each mystery, and verses are sung while walking with the pilgrims.

Example:

Walk joyfully, dear angels of heaven, covering the roads.
The white snow that has worn away the lilies turns them snowy white.
Through those mountains goes the omnipotence, and the leopards also bow down to him.
Through those mountains walks Mary with her beloved husband, night and day.
Etc.

After several verses, they arrive at a house to ask for lodging. This is done three times during the rosary until it is finished. After making the three requests, they sing the entrance of the pilgrims into the house where they will stay that day, which is the family’s turn to provide lodging. The next day, they begin to go to the next house, and so on for nine days.

Even though we are in the same country, each state, diocese, parish, neighborhood, and family has a different way of organizing and carrying out this tradition, and the same applies to the songs, the melody, and the rhythm.

Here in Metlatonoc, where I am on mission, they are organized very differently, according to their customs. It has been a very pleasant experience because I have learned a lot from the people by observing them. The organizers of the posadas here are the stewards. Only they move the images, decide which children will carry them, and ring the bell while the images are being moved. Something curious that I noticed here is that they have the pilgrims dressed like them, in traditional regional clothing.

The singer recites part of the rosary before leaving with the pilgrims. When the litany begins, it is time to start walking. He sings in Latin and responds to himself. When he arrives at the house where he will ask for lodging, he stops singing the litany. The Guadalupana and Juquila groups read the readings and sing the petition, both the verses from outside and inside, dividing themselves to do so. In these posadas, they bring a band, give whistles to everyone, make a lot of noise, and set off fireworks. When they arrive at the house where the pilgrims will stay, it is recognizable because it is very decorated and has the portal they prepared.

The singer finishes praying the rosary there, the groups mentioned above gather and sing some Christmas carols, and then the whole parish community continues to socialize. It is customary to serve pozole and coffee, the band plays, and people are encouraged to dance. Everything ends around 11 or 12 at night. There are three groups of singers: two from Guadalupe and one from Juquila. They divide up the days on which they will sing and participate.

It has been a different experience to celebrate these holidays away from my family. As my brothers told me, now you will spend time with other people, and when you come home for vacation, it will be time to spend time with us. What keeps me going is the prayer and encouragement that my whole family, friends, and acquaintances give me. I am trying to take care of God’s things because I know that He is taking care of mine, which are mainly here on earth, me and my family.

Mariana, CLM in Metlatonoc (Mexico).