Alberto de la Portilla – Page 2 – Comboni Lay Missionaries

Missionary Sending Mass for Veronicah Neema

4 February, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

On February 1st, at St. John Baptist Parish in Riruta, Nairobi, a solemn Holy Mass was celebrated during which the missionary sending of our Kenyan CLM, Veronicah Neema Makori, took place. The liturgy was presided over by Fr. David Ahiro, MCCJ, who, on behalf of the Church community, imparted the blessing to Neema.

During this solemn celebration, the missionary was officially sent to undertake her missionary service in the Central African Republic, precisely in Mongoumba, where one of our international CLM communities is operating. It was a moment of deep prayer, gratitude, and joy for the gift of vocation with which God continues to bless His Church. The parish community, gathered for the Eucharist, expressed its unity by surrounding the missionary with heartfelt prayer and spiritual support.

The faithful prayed for God’s abundant graces upon Veronicah Neema Makori, asking for the light of the Holy Spirit, strength and wisdom in facing daily challenges, and protection on her path of service to the Church and to the people to whom she is sent. This celebration was also a testimony to the living faith and missionary commitment of St. John Baptist Parish in Riruta.

May the Holy Spirit continually strengthen her, and may Christ—the Supreme Missionary—guide and accompany her each day on her missionary journey.

CLM Kenya

Signs of Hope in our Being and Missionary Work

2 February, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

On January 30 and 31 and February 1, 2026, the group of Comboni Lay Missionaries of Peru held its National Assembly in Lima, a meeting that brought us together to reflect, evaluate, and revitalize our way of life and missionary commitment.

Guided by the theme “Signs of Hope in our Missionary Being and Doing,” members of the communities of Lima and Trujillo, accompanied by our advisor Fr. Gianni MCCJ, gathered in Chorrillos thanks to the careful organization of the national team.

During these days, we conducted a thorough review of our missionary work, sharing a sincere evaluation of achievements, difficulties, and lessons learned. It was a space to exchange experiences, express concerns, and nurture common dreams, thus strengthening the bonds that unite us as a sent community.

The assembly culminated with a Eucharist of commitment, which sealed in our hearts the signs of hope that, as lay missionaries, we want to embody and offer throughout the year 2026.

Among the most significant agreements, we highlight:

To assume greater responsibility for our commitments within the CLM, including financial support through voluntary contributions
To prepare ourselves to welcome with fraternity and accompany the Comboni Lay Missionaries who will join the mission in Peru from Kenya, Africa

This meeting has rekindled our missionary spirit and confirmed that, through communion and shared dedication, we are called to be tangible signs of hope in our land.

CLM-Peru

Prayer Intentions of the Comboni Family February 2026

1 February, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

That all institutes of consecrated life may grow in communion and collaboration, recognising the strength that comes from a common vocation and diversity of charisms. Let us pray.

Celebrating the sending: a community that accompanies and loves the mission

27 January, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

Yesterday was a deeply meaningful day for the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) family, marked by faith, fraternity, and the joy of missionary sending. We began this special moment with the Mass of Sending Forth of the Camey Figueroa Family, consisting of Alejandro, Ana Cris, and their four children, three of whom are minors, celebrated at the Mother of the Redeemer Parish, where as a community we gave thanks to God for their call and renewed our commitment to accompany them with prayer and fraternal affection.

The Eucharist was a space of encounter with the Lord, in which the “here I am” of a family that, with generosity and confidence, responds to the call to the Mission Ad Gentes became visible. In every word, gesture, and prayer, we felt how God continues to call and send, and how the community becomes a support and living witness to that sending.

After the liturgical celebration, we shared a fraternal moment with the families of those being sent forth. It was a simple but meaningful moment, where we wanted to express our affection, closeness, and support for this new stage they are beginning. Amid smiles, hugs, and words of encouragement, we reaffirmed that the mission is not lived in solitude, but in communion, as a missionary family walking together.

This sending forth strongly reminds us of the words and witness of St. Daniel Comboni, who taught us that mission is born of a deep love for Christ and for the most needy peoples, and that it is only sustained when it is lived as the work of the whole community. Inspired by his charism, we continue to believe that generous dedication, lived in community, transforms hearts and builds the Kingdom.

As CLM, we thank God for the life and availability of the Camey Figueroa Family, and we ask that the Holy Spirit accompany them, strengthen them, and grant them a heart that is always open to serve wherever they are sent. Following the example of St. Daniel Comboni, we trust that this mission will bear much fruit. We continue to walk together, knowing that the mission transforms not only those who go, but also those of us who accompany them from here with faith and hope.

CLM Guatemala

Coming together strengthens our collective journey

14 January, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

Participating in COP-30 in November 2025 and the Comboni Family Forum was a very memorable experience in my life. These were intense days of listening, learning, and sharing, during which I was able to closely follow important debates on climate justice, care for our Common Home, and the defense of peoples and territories.

During those days, I had some very meaningful experiences, such as Tapiri, a space for interreligious dialogue marked by respect, listening, and diversity of beliefs. I also had the opportunity to learn more about the work that the Comboni Missionaries do in other countries, which broadened my view of the struggles, challenges, and commitments undertaken in different realities.

Another very important moment was the visit to the community of Piquiá. This visit allowed us to present to the participants of the Comboni Family Forum, who came from outside, a little of our history, our struggles, and the resistance of our people. They visited the Frei Tito Community Center and also communities in the interior. It was a moment of sharing, visibility, and strengthening of our collective journey.

It was very good to see people again, talk to new people, and learn about different cultures. I take with me every conversation, every lesson learned, and every story lived. It was a remarkable experience, and I returned even stronger to continue on the journey, with faith, responsibility, and commitment to social and environmental transformation.

Mainara Bezerra, young woman from Piquiá/MA/Brazil