As part of the Missionary Month of October 2026, the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) of Benin, accompanied by their chaplain, Father Constantin Dangninnou, conducted missionary outreach activities in two mission centers within the Archdiocese of Cotonou. On October 18, 2026, they visited two stations of Hounvè and Fandji. Following the chaplain’s guidance, this served as an opportunity to introduce the Comboni Family, its various branches and the association of the Friends of Comboni to the local communities.
The existence of the Comboni Lay Missionaries movement in Benin was presented to the various parish communities visited.
On the following Sunday, October 25, the same message was shared with the larger parish community of Saint Francis of Assisi in Fidjrossè during three consecutive morning Masses (at 6:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11:15 a.m.). Father Constantin Dangninnou presided over these celebrations; the first Mass was concelebrated with Father Bernard Megnihoue, who had recently returned to the country after sixteen years of missionary service in Central Africa.
Throughout the various sessions, a presentation was given on the Comboni Lay Missionaries movement in Benin and its members. The movement’s activities and the pillars of its spirituality were also outlined, drawing significant attention from the audience. The love held by the founder, Daniel Comboni, and his vision for Africa were highlighted to further raise awareness among the people of God. The schedule of meetings and the locations for formation were shared with the faithful, with the hope of encouraging new members to join. At the conclusion of the celebrations, an exhibition—organized by the chaplain, Father Constantin Dangninnou—featured documents on Daniel Comboni, the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, and the global Comboni mission, allowing the faithful to deepen their personal understanding of the Comboni family. This is how the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) of Benin carried out their missionary outreach activities across the various Christian communities visited during this missionary month. It should be noted that all these activities and visits were conducted jointly by the Comboni Lay Missionaries and a missionary prayer group from the Friends of Comboni Association” at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish—a group for which Father Constantin Dangninnou also serves as chaplain.
To conclude these missionary animation activities, the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) of Benin hosted a fraternal gathering—a shared meal—with the presbyteral team at the home of the group’s treasurer. The ABOE couple provided significant support for this convivial occasion, which served as a special opportunity to strengthen the collaborative ties between the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, the Comboni Lay Missionaries of Benin, and the Friends of Comboni Association.
The priests expressed their appreciation, noting the importance of continuing this Comboni work as a response from the Comboni Lay Missionary movement in Benin to the Church’s call—and as an opportunity to give concrete form to Comboni’s development plan for African nations. Brother Lucien received congratulations from the priests regarding his commitment, which he formalized during the Provincial Assembly in Lomé, Togo, from October 9 to 11, 2026.
After the priests departed, the group members remained for a while longer to discuss further details regarding the strategy to be implemented to consolidate the movement in Benin.
The day, which began at 6:00 a.m. on October 25, concluded for us at 3:10 p.m., allowing everyone to head home.
Pierrot Hinvi, CLM group of Benin
