On October 12 the CLM of Mexico joins the great feast of the Comboni Family celebrating our founder and guide: St. Daniel Comboni. The priests, brothers, sisters, laity and a large number of benefactors and friends live a great missionary kermes. The activities began very early preparing the place with much enthusiasm. Both breakfast and lunch we were able to taste several Mexican dishes and some desserts; there were even international cuisine, represented by sushi and kimbap. In the area of amusement we have the raffle (it’s always fun to know what you’re going to win), inflatable, civil registration and the big auction that were a success. By the way, we were in charge of the chopped fruit.
Amid such missionary environment, could not miss the sacrament of reconciliation, and to celebrate with a flourish, our Holy Eucharist, which was enlivened by Comboni´s and missionaries songs. The most important thing we must remember that it’s all for a great cause: THE MISSIONS. We thank everyone who supported this noble work either selling, consuming or simply by their presence and prayer, as their bit was definitely necessary and essential to accomplish our great event. May God continue to bless us all and with the guidance and strength of St. Daniel Comboni we move on.
From the beginning of October I started community experience in Kraków. This is the last part of the formation before going on missions (because in January I’m going to Ethiopia!). During these two months there are a lot of things which I experience – life in the community (in theory – through the formation meetings and reading, as well as a practical through living in the community of MCCJ), except that there are a lot of learning:
Language (English for now, in order to improve it, and then in January I’ll begin learning Amharic, which seems to be quite an interesting adventure 🙂
Bible (meetings with s. Joanna, who helps me to understand the Scriptures, and to see better what God is talking to me)
Comboni (learning about Comboni, his idea of life and work on the mission, as well as various aspects of the CLM).
I also participate in the meetings of a missionary students’ group, help in the animations in the parishes, do some voluntary work, explore the history and culture of Ethiopia, spend an afternoon and integrate with CLM recognizing group from Krakow, what would it even a little more to build a secular community.
And, what is the most obvious and most important thing – the prayer – Community Lauds and Vespers, daily Eucharist, personal prayer, adoration. And at the end of the Ignatian retreat in Zakopane.
So many things happen 🙂 I hope it will be, though so short, but a fruitful time which will help me to prepare better for my mission in Ethiopia.
I recently went to visit two of the ladies from the women’s baking group, whom I hadn’t seen for a couple of weeks. I decided to bring them my portion of the desert that the group and I had made that day, yogurt cake with peaches. When I arrived at the first house, I was greeted by Rocio. She accepted the cake and disappeared into a room at the far end of her house. She returned with a smile and a huge slab of chocolate fudge cake that she had just finished making.
What I received.
As I left her house, chocolate cake in hand, I shook my head, thinking, “It is impossible to give something to a Peruvian without them giving me something in return.” I have several friends who sell food in the market and on the streets. If I try to buy something from them, they often won’t accept my money. If they do let me buy from them, the next I pass by they insist on gifting me at least as much as I originally bought from them.
Arriving at the second house, Manuela greeted me with a hug. She happily took the peach cake, and replied, “Es un trueque entonces. (It’s a trade then).” Before I could respond, she went into her house and emerged with a cup of arroz zambito (the Peruvian version of arroz con leche/ ride pudding).
Manuela’s Arroz Zambito.
I thanked her for the arroz zambito and told her that it was very kind but not necessary, as she relies on the sales of the rice desert as an income for her family. Manuela smiled and explained the cultural importance of a “trueque” (exchange of goods). She related that it is a cultural value passed on by the Incas that continues to be an integral part of the Peruvian culture.
Rafael and I were taught something very similar in an intensive course on Peruvian realities that we completed in Lima in 2012. One of the professors taught us that reciprocity is a key value of the Peruvian culture, a value which has a historical basis stemming from the Incas, whose economy was based on a barter system. If someone does something for you, you find a way to do something beneficial for them. I can see this value in action in my everyday life here. Any act of service on my part has been selflessly returned to me, often in ways surpassing anything I have done. My experience of mission here in Peru has been one not just of giving, but of learning to humbly receive what others give me. The people do not give out of their excess or surplus, but rather they give of the best they have to offer.
Ají de gallina
One of the women from the baking group recently told me that she would like to prepare lunch for Rafael and me. She stopped by my house early one morning and told me not to not cook lunch that day. At exactly 1:00pm, the Peruvian lunchtime, she arrived with two heaping plates of food for us. She hadn’t prepared just any meal. Weeks before making this lunch, she had casually asked us what Peruvian dish we like the most. This past Sunday she came bringing us this very meal, “Aji de Gallina.” There are ways to cut corners economically when preparing this dish, but without her having to say anything, I could tell that she had used the very best ingredients at the market. I was at a loss for something to give in return, but it was not necessary. This was a special, loving gift, which she happily gave, without expectation of anything in exchange. I am continually amazed by the people’s generosity and thoughtfulness, and their practice of the principal of “el trueque.”
The German CLM group met in Nürnebrg in the house of the Comboni Missionaries from 17 to 19 of October 2014. Even the machinists strike could stop it 🙂 .
On Saturday, We dedicated to the intensive study of the encyclical “Evangelii Gaudium” with the help of Pia Schildmair. On Sunday we highlight the common points of the encyclical with the Comboni spirituality. We look for specific impulses for everyone and for the group and agreed steps to implement them. We ask that the joy of the Gospel continue to accompany us along the way!
It took place in Rome from 15 to 19 September the reflection on Comboni´s Plan for the regeneration of Africa after 150 years from the time it was written and inspired till the current time. For this reflection came representatives of the various provinces of the Comboni Missionaries (MCCJ) and was attended by representatives of the Comboni Missionary Sisters (MC), Secular Comboni Missionaries (SCM) and Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM).
Throughout this week of work, we have come to some conclusions that will “provoke” the next chapter of MCCJ and can also help us for a deeper reflection:
Comboni´s Plan keeps actualize as far as allows us to realize the urgency and priority of our time. We do many important things, but we cannot respond to all needs, so we must discern what is vital in today’s world and reshape our missionary service consequently.
Comboni receives the inspiration of the Plan because he places himself at the foot of the cross. Today the mission no longer has a “geographical” look. Therefore, at the foot of the cross, we must try to realize the movements of the Spirit and how we respond our world, no matter where we are called to be.
The motto “Save Africa with Africa” cannot limit our action. Rather, it should lead us to take a renovated approach to the extent of our abilities. Consequently, the mission in Europe involves re-believe in the values of the European culture and adopts its language as a way of liberation and evangelization. The same applies to other cultures where we recognize so “vital” the Comboni presence.
“I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security”, says the Pope Francisco in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (# 49). The appeal of Pope Francisco challenges us to dare to grow and specialize in ministries that we believe are the most urgent priority in today’s world.
After a week of work and reflection, based on the Plan of Comboni and the demands of the Church itself, it was concluded that today’s mission will always pass, and above all, by the struggle for Life.
Thus, inspired by the charism of Comboni, we are called to rethink and reshape our being missionaries for many “have life and have it abundantly.”
Susana Vilas Boas
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On October 12 the CLM of Mexico joins the great feast of the Comboni Family celebrating our founder and guide: St. Daniel Comboni. The priests, brothers, sisters, laity and a large number of benefactors and friends live a great missionary kermes. The activities began very early preparing the place with much enthusiasm. Both breakfast and lunch we were able to taste several Mexican dishes and some desserts; there were even international cuisine, represented by sushi and kimbap. In the area of amusement we have the raffle (it’s always fun to know what you’re going to win), inflatable, civil registration and the big auction that were a success. By the way, we were in charge of the chopped fruit.
