Comboni Lay Missionaries

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Avatar photoAlberto de la Portilla

Because for God nothing is impossible!

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CLM Ethiopia

One of my main apostolates is the work of physiotherapist in the Mother Theresa Home. There, some time ago the sisters asked me to visit one of their patients – Addisu – teenage boy dying of bone cancer. Addisu’s mother died of cancer, his sister also. He fell ill 1,5 years ago, but as he came from a poor family they had no money to send him for treatment. Finally, he came to one of the missionary clinics in the village distant approx. 100 km from Awassa. Unfortunately there they couldn’t help him too much, it was too late for any treatment, so they sent him Mother Teresa Home in Awassa. As he came here he was in a terrible psychological state, really suffering due to pain, but also the fear of death. But when I met him I couldn’t believe it was the same boy. He was so cheerful, smiling, calm. Although sometimes the face passed him grimace of pain (which must be unimaginable, his leg in which he attacked the cancer looks horribly … and also there is no such strong drugs that are used for palliative patients), in a moment the smile and desire to talk returned. When I asked the boy what is his biggest dream that I might try to fulfill his wish, he said that what he wants the most now is baptism. For me it was surprising answer. But at the same time everything became clear – that his peace of heart, this joy despite suffering … It’s all thanks to God, the God who surrounded him with so much love and peace in this difficult time.

Since I met Addisu, I’ve started to pray for him a lot and also sking for prayers of all my friends. And thus we could experience how much powerful prayer is!

CLM Ethiopia

There was a chance to consult with other doctors and they found that lung lesions are not cancer metastasis and that it is not too late for amputation, which could save his life! On one of our Bible fellowship meetings (where we always have a prayer for different issues) I mentioned the situation of Addisu and it turned out that the husband of one of the members of our group is a surgeon! And that’s one of the best in Awassa! Then I could see how God starts to work and connect all the puzzles! We had appointment with the doctor in very short time (because Addisu’s suffering began increasing by spreading the infection from the wound on the leg) and the next day there was surgery! Addisu is so amazing! And the prayer probably gave him a lot of peace that once they were taking him to the operating room, he showed no sign of fear or sadness that he would lose his leg but he radiated joy. Because he will live! After a few days, they discharged him from the hospital and now we work intensively with physiotherapy in order to make him walking again. And also another miracle in the whole situation – the father of Addisu, who after the death of his wife and daughter, seeing dying son completely separated from the boy… It was too much for him to see the next family member dying of cancer and unable to do anything about it. He tried to forget sadness and pain in alcohol … But now when he saw that his son would live, came to Awassa and was caring about him so nicely! It is so beautiful! That God heals not only the boy’s body but also his relationship with father … Although it is known that still a lot ahead of them, so let us pray on!

Madzia Plekan CLM in Awassa Ethiopia

“Nzapa a ga na é”!

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Papa

November 29, Sunday, at 10, we saw pass the Alitalia plane carrying the Holy Father.

We did not go to meet him, as many people did along the road between the airport and the city center… We just left for Bangui Cathedral around 14hs, the Mass was scheduled for 17. We get earlier, we didn´t have to wait long to get in and they gave us a good place from which you could see well His Holiness. This Mass was for bishops, priests, religious and committed lay people working in parishes. Several times during his homily, people stopped to applaud him. As we had five extra invitations, we could take five pilgrims from our parish. The rest were near the Cathedral, where they attended Mass transmitted through a giant screen where they remained during the prayer vigil that lasted all night, with moments of prayer for peace, confessions and many songs. “No revenge, violence or hatred.”

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At five o’clock in the morning, people started heading for the stadium to attend the Mass celebrated by Pope Francisco. We arrived around seven and we had already many people in the stands.

At that time, the pope was visiting the Central Mosque of Bangui, the highlight of his visit. Due to the climate of hatred that exists in the country between Muslims and non-Muslims they are afraid that this time were canceled, thank God it was not!

Holy Father’s words: “We are all brothers”, “Make every effort to achieve peace, work, pray, but remember that there is no peace without love, friendship and tolerance”. The spokesman of the displaced Muslims of Km 5, said. “We are delighted to welcome the Pope. He is not here just for Christians; he is a server, a godsend for all Central Africans”.

According to François, he is working at the UN, Pope Francisco after the official speeches, took off his shoes, crossed the mosque and went to pray at the place where Muslims pray. He said everyone was very surprised and excited because this was not in the Protocol. As a token of gratitude, a group of youths Muslims on a motorcycle, “removed the site” of the Minusca (peacekeepers of UN) and escorted the Holy Father to the stadium.

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In his homily at the Mass in the stadium Pope spoke again of Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Peace and “Pass to the other side” (“Passons a l’autre rive”), because “there is no peace without forgiveness”. “Say No to revenge, violence and hatred!”

In the street people were happy saying, “God came to us!” ” Nzapa a ga na é!”

Hopefully after the visit of the Holy Father Peace remain in this land and this people that have suffered so much have life and life in abundance.

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From RCA

A missionary hug

Augusta and Elia (CLM)

 

First Day – International PI (immediate preparation) community

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Braga

It was with great enthusiasm and attention that the Academic Community of Braga was with Kasia and Barbara on this first day for these CLM in Portugal.

During this event, organized by the University Pastoral of Braga, the CLM shared their life stories and their missionary testimony at this time before departure for the mission of Carapira.

CLM Portugal

Training International community in Portugal

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Portugal LMC

We are happy because we have just received from Barbara (Italian CLM) and Kasia (Polish CLM) that will stay with us until April to learn Portuguese. This preparation aims the preparation before departure for the mission of Carapira, Mozambique.

During this time, both will share many moments with us and together we will walk toward a greater internationalization of our CLM family.

We welcome them and we ask you for prayers for this time of specific training before their missionary service.

CLM Portugal

Pilgrimage route to Bangui for the Pope’s visit

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Jesus

On 25 November, the pilgrimage walk of the faithful of our parish started from Mongoumba to Bangui to participate in the ceremonies for the visit of the Pope. There were four groups of 18 people, one of them composed only of pygmies recently baptized.

We get up every day at 2.30am, ate a sweet rice porridge, so that everyone could have energy to walk. We began with prayer, then everybody start to walk, singing beautiful songs in Sango.

Every day they covered about 30kms, with joy, despite the “blisters” on the feet …

When it reached the intended location for the night, they have lunch and in the afternoon, after a short break, a catechesis on the theme of the day, followed by the Eucharist.

The topics presented were: “Reconciliation”, “Laudato Si”, “The joy of the Gospel” and “Blessed are the peacemakers”, interesting subjects that pilgrims greatly appreciated. In each catechesis was distributed to each pilgrim a symbolic ribbon theme: violet, green, red and white.

After the Mass we dined before the last rays of light.

To 20 pm everyone was in bed, I mean, sleeping on a sailcloth lying on the ground, inside or outside the chapel. The communities where we rest welcomed us warmly and showed all their support, fetching water and firewood. Two of them prepared food for more than 70 people.

Elia

Elia, three cooks (volunteers) and I were covering the pilgrimage by car, carrying everything you need to cook for six days, which eventually turned out to be seven.

Elia was tireless, with all who approached her with the injured or sore feet…

The arrival in Bangui was Saturday morning. People on the street stopped amazed to see all these people on pilgrimage, each with its cross highest than oneself, and a lively group of Pygmies in the middle. All of Mongoumba.

Activities in the house of the Comboni Missionaries in Bimbo, where the same as where we were staying, equal to those of the previous days.

It was four days of walking in which no one gave up despite the fatigue … we hope that this pilgrimage bear fruit; conversion to the Lord, in every heart, protective Earth people “hit Sopo/bata Sesse” happy preach the Gospel, men and women of peace.

A hug

Maria Augusta, Mongoumba CLM