The Procession of the Lord of Miracles is one of the largest expressions of the Catholic faith in Latin America and the ultimate symbol of the Peruvian people’s identity and religious devotion.
Here in Arequipa, we celebrate this beautiful festival for three days; we held a procession through the streets of Alto Selva Alegre, accompanied by priests.
Families, neighbors, businesses, schools, and even police stations set up altars to receive the image with reverence; they offer prayers and flowers to the image, as well as food to the people in the procession, and then join the procession.
The greatness of this procession lies in its unity and hope.
It represents a Church that walks alongside the people, healing their afflictions, uniting social classes, and gathering crowds dressed in purple—a sign of penance, humility, and devotion.
As we celebrate this month the 10th World Day of the Poor, we pray that those with responsibilities in nations may restore justice to the poor and help them rediscover dignity and hope. Let us pray.
Nine candidates, one missionary family, and a beautiful new beginning! On Saturday, October 17, the Comboni Lay Missionaries of the North American Province (CLM NAP) officially began a new journey of basic formation and discernment with nine candidates taking their first steps together in discovering the missionary vocation.
The morning brought together participants in a special hybrid gathering, with some meeting in person in the beautiful garden of the Comboni Mission Center in Covina, California, while others joined through Zoom. Our online participants connected from New York, Ohio, and Bakersfield, California, bringing together members from different parts of the country for this special occasion.
Thanks to today’s technology, we were able to connect across distances in a way that made everyone feel part of the same gathering. Those joining online could see and hear those in person, and those gathered in the garden could also see and hear their brothers and sisters joining virtually. Who says distance has to keep a missionary family apart?
From the morning until noon, we shared prayer, introductions, questions, experiences, and reflections, beginning what we hope will be a meaningful journey of faith, friendship, and discernment.
The morning opened with prayer, followed by a warm welcome from Rossie Patlan, CLM NAP Director. And Fr. Maciej Zielinski, MCCJ, both introduced the Comboni Lay Missionaries, helping candidates discover more about the CLM identity, spirituality, and missionary vocation. Through their presentation, questions, and personal experiences, they offered a deeper look into what it means to live the Comboni missionary spirit today.
A special highlight of the morning was the testimony of Linda, an Italian Comboni Lay Missionary currently serving in Kenya. Joining us from her mission experience, Linda shared a beautiful reflection entitled “Beauty of Being CLM.” Her testimony offered candidates a glimpse into the joys, challenges, and blessings of missionary life. Hearing from someone living the mission firsthand was a wonderful reminder that the CLM family extends far beyond borders, languages, and continents. One heart, one mission, one family!
We were also blessed to hear from Olivia Anguiano, a CLM candidate who has been journeying through formation for almost two years. Olivia shared her personal formation experience, offering an honest and encouraging perspective on what it means to take time to learn, grow, ask questions, and discern God’s call. Her testimony was a meaningful reminder that formation is not simply about attending classes, but about allowing God to work within us and transform our hearts along the way.
The morning also included the presentation of candidate expectations and guidelines, helping everyone understand the journey ahead. Formation is an invitation to grow in faith, learn about the spirituality of St. Daniel Comboni, discover our gifts, and prayerfully discern how God may be calling us to serve.
Importantly, candidates were reminded that this journey is not about pressure or having all the answers. It is about coming with open hearts, a willingness to learn, and the freedom to discover where God is leading each person. Missionary service can take different forms, whether overseas or through supporting and serving mission right here in North America.
After the closing prayer, the online meeting came to an end at noon, while those gathered in Covina continued with lunch and time to socialize, sharing fellowship and getting to know one another beyond the presentations.
This first gathering marks an exciting step in the renewal and growth of the CLM NAP community. With nine candidates beginning formation, we are grateful for every person who said yes to exploring this journey. We also give thanks to Linda, Fr. Maciej, Olivia, and everyone who helped make this day possible.
As St. Daniel Comboni reminds us through his missionary witness, mission begins when we allow our hearts to be touched by the needs of others and respond with love.
And this is only the beginning!
We look forward to our next formation gathering next month, continuing to grow together as a missionary family. We also warmly encourage anyone interested in learning more about the Comboni Lay Missionaries to join us. It is never too late to begin, and everyone is welcome! You do not need to have your entire future figured out. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple yes to discovering what God has placed in your heart.
May the Holy Spirit continue to guide our nine candidates and the entire CLM family as we move forward together.
With joy, faith, and a missionary spirit, the Comboni Lay Missionaries in Ecuador celebrated the feast of St. Daniel Comboni on October 10 at the Afro-Ecuadorian Cultural Center in Guayaquil, in an atmosphere of fraternity, prayer, and community fellowship.
The day began with the celebration of Holy Mass, a special moment to give thanks for their shared missionary journey and to renew their commitment to continue living the Comboni charism in service to the poorest and most needy. Afterward, the participants shared a time of fellowship, strengthening the bonds of friendship, communion, and fraternity that animate the life of the community.
The celebration continued on October 11 with a brief tribute during Holy Mass at the Verbo Divino Parish, where the legacy of St. Daniel Comboni was also joyfully commemorated and the commitment to continue walking together in the mission was renewed.
These gatherings provided an opportunity to share our faith, give thanks for the gift of the missionary vocation, and reaffirm that the mission is built in community, through closeness, solidarity, and commitment to those most in need.
Inspired by the Comboni charism, the Comboni Lay Missionaries continue to bring the Gospel to life in their families, communities, and places of service, with the hope of contributing to a more just, fraternal, and supportive world.
Saint Daniel Comboni, continue to inspire and accompany our mission!
On October 10, the Comboni Lay Missionaries of the North American Province (CLM NAP) came together to celebrate the feast of our beloved missionary father and inspiration, St. Daniel Comboni. It was a beautiful day of prayer, fellowship, and renewed missionary spirit as we celebrated not only the life of St. Daniel Comboni but also the gift of our shared vocation.
United in Prayer, Even Across the Miles
Our celebration began with a morning Zoom prayer gathering, bringing CLMs together from different places to pray and give thanks for the gift of our Comboni charism. We began by praying the final day of our novena to St. Daniel Comboni, entrusting our community, our missionary vocations, and the people we serve to his intercession.
Knowing that not everyone could join us online, we also made space for the voices of our absent members. Through their personal reflections and messages, they were able to share what they are grateful for about being CLMs and what St. Daniel Comboni means to them. Although we could not all be physically present or connected at the same time, we were reminded that we remain one missionary family, united in prayer and in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Our gathering was also a meaningful opportunity to look toward the future as we begin a new chapter of ongoing formation. Inspired by Comboni’s example, we renewed our desire to grow in faith, deepen our missionary spirituality, and continue supporting one another in our vocation.
Celebrating Together in Faith and Community
Following our morning prayer, we continued the celebration with Holy Mass alongside the local community in California, giving thanks to God for the life and missionary witness of St. Daniel Comboni.
We concluded the morning with a joyful, in-person gathering at the Comboni Mission Center in Covina, California, alongside the young adult ministry, Missionary Souls. We shared fellowship, celebrated our missionary family, and, of course, enjoyed some cake! It was a simple but beautiful way to bring our celebration to a close, sharing the joy of our faith and the spirit of Comboni with the next generation.
Rekindling the Fire of Mission
As the CLM NAP community continues its journey of renewal, this feast day was a reminder that the Comboni charism is alive in each of us. St. Daniel Comboni allowed the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to transform his life and send him out in service to others. His example continues to inspire us to respond generously to God’s call, recognizing the dignity of every person and serving with hearts full of love.
Though we may be separated by distance, we remain connected through our shared vocation and commitment to mission. We are grateful for everyone who participated, sent a message, prayed with us, or joined us in spirit.
May St. Daniel Comboni continue to intercede for our CLM community as we grow together in faith, strengthen our bonds of fraternity, and renew our commitment to serve wherever the Lord calls us.
St. Daniel Comboni, pray for us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like Yours!
Rossie Patlan from NAP CLM
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