By Beatriz Maldonado Sánchez, CLM

Today, we can find countless options in the world. No matter how difficult our situation may seem, we have the opportunity to choose and follow a path and commit to a dream—a mission that allows us to break free from the social norms in which we were raised, educated, or forced to follow out of fear of what others might say. According to the options presented by my family, I had two choices for my vocation: “You get married or you go to a convent.”

Faced with this choice, I went through a vocational discernment process with the consecrated sisters, but I realized I didn’t feel called to religious life and thought I would get married—until I had the opportunity to learn about the vocation of the Comboni Lay Missionary (CLM) where, whether single or married, we could serve God by helping to build a world where His love reigns.

My name is Beatriz, and I’ll tell you a little about how my story changed when I met the CLM. I come from a Catholic family in Sahuayo; I grew up living my faith within my family, we actively participated in the apostolates held at the parish, and I was studying at the university. Everything was normal, until something changed in me when I was invited to participate in a Holy Week mission camp; it was the year 2000. I never imagined everything I would experience by saying “yes” to God. That week changed my story and my idea of starting a family. Thus, one of my childhood dreams—one that had been buried in my memory—was fulfilled: to go to Africa to help the children. God, who knows the innermost depths of our hearts, had rescued that desire. It had first emerged when I read the stories of the Comboni Missionaries in the magazine *Aguiluchos*, which we read with our catechist, Lolita.

I had always wanted to go on a mission trip during Holy Week; a friend invited me, and honestly, it brought me so much joy that, without hesitation, I committed to participating. Leaving my family wasn’t easy. Stepping out of my comfort zone was a step toward experiencing beautiful moments. Being in a place with people I didn’t know, doing things I’d never imagined and wasn’t used to, was a huge challenge that helped me develop the ability to adapt, recognizing God’s presence in others. Being with them as a layperson to share my experience of God—knowing that the values of the Gospel are universal—was what gave identity to my lay vocation within an indigenous community.

From that year on, it was impossible to stop living the mission. The experiences at different times of the year and for longer periods increased, a situation that brought me closer to the people and to living their day-to-day lives, sharing everything, enriching one another.

I received the proposal to go on mission outside the country, and upon saying “yes,” I began my formation in community; it was a period in which I refined my decision. So, after a long wait, I received a letter that said: “You will go on mission to Mozambique”; the letter arrived after my father’s death, an event that shook my life. Trusting in God, I set out on the mission; prayer and the support of my family strengthened me as I took the step I had to take.

Arriving in Africa was a dream come true. The people of Mozambique welcomed me with their warm hospitality and joy. I spent two days in Maputo, the country’s capital, waiting for the priest who would take me to Nampula. The CLM members who would be my companions picked me up and drove me to Carapira.

Thus began my missionary journey with people I came to know and with whom I formed bonds of friendship and family. This was very important to me because every day I became more convinced that I was not alone; first were my community and group companions, such as Martinho and Margarida, a CLM couple from Mozambique, who were great mentors to me and helped me correct my mistakes in the mission field.

Fortunately, there was also a community of Comboni priests and brothers who served the parish and the school, as well as the Comboni Sisters who cared for the girls at the boarding school. Together we formed the missionary team for the parish of Carapira. Each of us had our own activities, but we were united by prayer, the work plan, our time together, and even outings, which allowed us to get to know one another better.

I lived at the Carapira Industrial Technology Institute (ITIC), which is amazing—the welcome message really made you feel at home: “Making the school one big family.” That’s exactly what it was—we all managed to center our lives around what was happening at ITIC; it provided us with amazing experiences 24 hours a day, from preparing breakfast, cleaning all the areas, helping with administration and teaching classes, to evening study sessions and caring for the sick—it was a true team effort.

When it came to religion, there was a lot of respect and a variety of faiths. Once, the Muslim students invited me to join them for their prayer time. We Catholics had Mass twice a week, and every eight days we met with the youth group. Some participated in the vocational meetings we organized at the parish, retreats that have borne fruit for missionary and diocesan life; some are now priests, and others continue their formation process, as is the case with two Comboni scholastics, who are now studying in the Americas: Doler in Brazil and Felizardo in Peru.

The biblical passage that solidified my missionary path is “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). It remains present in my prayer life, especially during this Jubilee Year, which coincides with my 25th anniversary as a CLM. This power remains alive, and I had the opportunity to celebrate it in various ways:

1. In the lay group, I was tasked with coordinating the opening of our CLM movement’s permanent mission in the parish of San Miguel Arcangel in the community of Metlatónoc, Gro—a project we had already been planning for three years.

2. I joined the coordinating team of Misioneros Laicos Ad-gentes (MILAG), a challenge for me personally given the many tasks I already have as a lay missionary.

3. I joined the Comboni family to participate in the Youth Jubilee in Rome, accompanying a group of eight young Mexicans, including four of my nephews. Prior to that, we had a week of formation where we shared reflections on the encyclical Laudato Si’.

4. I helped organize the Diocesan Animators’ workshop in San Juan de los Lagos with the MILAG team.

5. Mission ad gentes experience with my niece in Lokichar, a community in Kenya—a time of great learning and vital growth for us.

6. Celebrating my vocation as a CLM with my parish community and family, and encouraging others to discover this missionary path.

I can tell you that April 23, 2000, was the Easter that brought about a very significant change in my life, allowing me to begin a process of continuous learning and growth where doing what I love with love allows me to be happy.

Every day brings new challenges; prayer and ongoing formation are the great pillars that strengthen me to move forward wherever God wills, with the certainty that every day is an opportunity to serve. I entrust myself to your prayers.

If you have questions about the missionary life ad gentes, respond to your call and you will find happiness in proclaiming the Gospel.

Beatriz Maldonado Sánchez, CLM