Alberto de la Portilla

The Third Meeting of the Comboni Lay Missionaries in America took place in Guatemala City from 16 to 20 September, together with the Central Committee of the CLM. The seed planted by St. Daniel Comboni has continued to bear abundant fruit in the hearts that make silence to listen to the will of God.

The meeting was attended by the CLM of the continent -USA / Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Brazil- and Comboni advisors and a Comboni sister. This was really a meeting full of cultures and languages, but united by a common Comboni missionary spirit.

Every day, we all met in the Holy Eucharist, which was the food necessary to meet the challenges of work presented to us as the meeting progressed.

After Mass starts, the working sessions in different themes, related to the Way of the CLM: coordination, structure, economics, education, mission, among others; in order to reach agreements and proposals to help each community to further deepen this beautiful charism we have received as a gift from God.

Those days were very tired, for debating and seeking a common path. But they were also days of joy, to share, to know and to feel part of a beautiful family that is growing, maybe not by leaps and bounds, but with firm steps under the lovely low weight of the cross of Christ.

Also, days to feel as brothers, beyond language or nationality, beyond physical boundaries, we felt children under the protection of Saint Daniel Comboni. Each day we could remember that our Comboni being flowed from the pierced heart of Christ nailed to the tree.

Between work sessions, we got to know also more about the work being done in each CLM Community of the participating countries, and thus enrich the lived experience of the community. And our Guatemalan brothers gave us several cultural activities, for more wealth, history and “chapinas” traditions.

Today, looking back, is nothing but smile, with peace in our heart for the work done, knowing that the real meeting has just begun. If we want the conclusions of the meeting will bear fruit, we must all get to work; we must work together and strive to bring the message of Christ to many brothers who do not yet know.

We need to be more in communication, recognizing that the mission does not belong to a country, but to the Church, that we all conform. We need the support of our older brothers, the MCCJ, and take our leading role as Comboni Lay Missionaries. We need to work together, and be engage in a more global missionary work. There is still some way to go, but our shortcomings are what should motivate us to keep going, looking to grow and improve, to get closer to God’s specific call. The road travels easier when we walk together.

Some, perhaps, will want to know if the meeting was worth it or if it was a success. I think the things of God cannot be measured in these terms, it could misunderstand the work. And this work is constructed from Love with Love and by Love. That Love which includes the sacrifice to be willing to give our lives.

However, something we can say is that the meeting helped to take our role together, for bonding, to know the faces-and hearts-especially those who, from their realities and countries are building the charism of St. Daniel Comboni in everyday life and anonymity, aware that the only protagonist of the work is Jesus Christ, as it was well understood by Comboni.

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Christian Madriz

One hundred and fifty years ago, on September 15th, in Rome, lived a young priest named Daniel Comboni. He longed for the salvation of the most abandoned and marginalized. Guided by the love in his heart, he wrote a plan to bring a message of hope and joy. He never imagined that this seed would continue to bear fruit.

Today, so many years later, his charism continues to call many from around the world. It calls those who want to take action, those who feel compelled to share with the world the happiness of being loved by Christ.

This is what is happening this week, from September 15^th – 20th in Guatemala, where the Comboni Lay Missionaries from the Americas are gathering as one family. They are meeting to deepen their understanding of the history of the movement, strengthen the comunication, harmony, and relationship between the different communities across the continent of the Americas.

There are 20 people from eleven countries participating in this gathering. All are eager to work together and find new strategies and plans of action to respond to the current needs in our communities. People cry out to be heard and receive the life-giving message of Jesus the missionary who calls each of us, because he loves each of us. This multicultural identity enriches and increases the spirit of openness and of fellowship, which characterizes the Comboni Missionary.

The first day of the gathering began with an overview of the history of the Comboni Lay Missionaries across the various countries, from their beginnings until present, including current challenges and obstacles. These are invitations to continue to grow and perfect the path that God has presented to us. This first topic allowed us to more deeply understand all of the efforts put forth by the various Comboni Lay Mission groups. This allows us to feel more identified with and committed to the work that needs to be completed. It also gives us a greater understanding of our reality, to have a clear picture of the work that still needs to be done.

The second part of our meeting on this first day, was to further expand the vision of the Comboni Lay Missionaries, as there were two topics of importance for the communities; the structure and coordination of the Comboin Lay Missionaries, and our reference groups.

The general overview given by each community helped understand the extent of the differences of organization amongst the different Comboni Lay Missionary groups in America, and it clarified a little the direction in which we needed to go. This meeting was the base for later deepening, in small groups, in regards to these topics. In the small groups we came up with solutions and proposals necessary to be able to develop a work plan together, one which unifies us and makes us feel more connected to our identity as laity, missionaries, and Combonis.

Lastly, the communities of Peru, Costa Rica, and Guatemala presented the realities of their lay missionary groups, which was enriching to the participants, with its own journey and experiences. This allowed for a clearer understanding of what is currently happening within the Comboni Lay Missionary Groups within each country.

During the breaks between work sessions, the Comboni Lay Missionaries were able to come together, share, and exchange stories and experiences. This fostered fertile dialogue between communities as well as deepen relationships among participants.

A young priest 150 years ago, in love with Africa, dreamed of a better world for the most abandoned and marginalized. Today his dream is becoming a reality, yet like him there are many people with hearts yearning to break down barriers in the name of love, to come together and build a more just, equal, and unified world.

Today, these 20 people, without a language or background in common, have come together in Guatemala to work together. This group is driven by a passion for mission deep in their hearts, where one thing is understood: the love of God is able to go beyond languages, cultures, and boundaries, to transform the reality that surrounds us. Mission springs forth from the heart in love with Christ.