Blog – Comboni Lay Missionaries

The Mission Born of the Incarnation

15 April, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

The 2026 Fraternity Campaign invites us to reflect on one of the most profound truths of the Christian faith: “He came to dwell among us” (John 1:14). The prologue of John’s Gospel reveals the heart of the mystery of the Incarnation. God did not remain distant from human reality. The Word became flesh, took on our condition, entered history, and chose to dwell in the midst of humanity. He did not come as a passing visitor, but as one who decided to share the life, the sufferings, and the hopes of his people.

The Incarnation is, therefore, God’s great gesture of closeness. In Jesus, God draws near to wounded humanity, especially to those living on the margins: the poor, the excluded, and those forgotten by society. Christ is born into a simple reality, grows up among the little ones, walks with those who suffer, and proclaims a Kingdom where the least are placed at the center. This logic of the Gospel breaks with the mentality of power and indifference, and reveals a God who chooses closeness, compassion, and service.

This perspective deeply illuminates Comboni missionary spirituality. Inspired by St. Daniel Comboni, the missionaries are called to make the same movement as Jesus: to go out to meet, to live among, and to walk alongside the poorest. Comboni understood that mission does not take place from a position of superiority or distance, but through the concrete sharing of life with those most in need. His missionary dream was clear: to save Africa with Africa itself, valuing the peoples, their cultures, and their dignity.

Within this logic, Comboni lay missionaries play an essential role. They bear witness that mission is not exclusive to religious or priests, but is a vocation of the entire People of God. The lay missionary is one who, immersed in daily life—at work, in the family, in the community—becomes a living presence of the Gospel. He embraces mission as a way of life, bringing the presence of Christ to places where the institutional Church often cannot reach.

The Incarnation teaches us that God does not transform the world from a distance. He commits himself to human reality. In the same way, Comboni lay missionaries are called to dwell in the existential peripheries, to draw near to the sufferings of humanity, and to build concrete signs of hope. Being with the poor is not merely an act of social solidarity, but a profound dimension of the Christian faith. In the faces of the poor and vulnerable, we encounter Christ himself, who continues to challenge us.

In this sense, the theme of the 2026 Fraternity Campaign, “He came to dwell among us,” also becomes an invitation to every Christian: to allow Christ to continue dwelling in the world through our actions. When we draw near to those who suffer, when we share life with the forgotten, when we fight so that all may have dignity, we are extending God’s presence in the midst of humanity.

For where life is defended, where dignity is restored, and where the poor are welcomed, there God continues to dwell among us.

Valdeci Antônio Ferreira – CLM Brazil

Returning to the Village of El Manzanillo

14 April, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

Another Day Walking with Jesus

With hearts full of joy and hope, we continue our mission in the beloved village of El Manzanillo, living another day of encounter, service, and faith, always walking hand in hand with the Risen Jesus.

In the morning, we visited the families of the community, carrying with us the Paschal candle, a sign of Christ’s living presence. With each visit, we entered homes bringing the Light of the Risen Jesus Christ, sharing words of comfort, faith, and hope. It was a deeply meaningful moment, where we were able to listen, pray, and accompany each family, reminding them that God never abandons His children and that the Resurrection is a promise of new life for all.

In the afternoon, we shared a time of fraternal fellowship with the community, engaging in arts and crafts using basic materials, fostering creativity and everyone’s participation. We also enjoyed moments full of joy with the children, playing games, where their smiles and innocence reminded us of the beauty of serving with love and simplicity.

Thus we concluded a blessed day, filled with fraternity, dedication, and mission, where once again we were able to bring the Good News to this neighborhood, proclaiming with joy and conviction:

Jesus Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!

Inspired by the witness of St. Daniel Comboni, we recall his words and his missionary spirit, which encourage us to go out to meet those most in need, to bring the Gospel with courage, and to always trust in God’s work, even in the midst of challenges. He taught us that mission is built on love, closeness, and total dedication to the service of others.

As Lay Missionaries of Guatemala, we wish to reaffirm that our entire missionary community remains united, walking together in faith, supporting one another, and keeping in our prayers every family, every child, and every person who is part of this beautiful mission.

We move forward with renewed hope and open hearts, knowing that every step we take is a seed of love sown in the name of the Risen Christ.

May God bless the village of El Manzanillo and each of its families.

CLM Guatemala

Learning to Look at Myself and Others

9 April, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

On the second day of the in-person segment of our journey, we were welcomed by Brother Marcos, a member of the Brothers of St. Gabriel, a congregation that has been present in the parish for many years and has worked in collaboration with the Comboni family since the beginning of their presence in the 1990s.

Continuing with the personal dimension of “self-discovery,” we had an introductory overview of the Enneagram, exploring the different types and helping us deepen our self-knowledge. It was a very enriching time of sharing and personal growth, and we committed to continuing this journey on a personal level.

Another memorable encounter was with the women’s group, who gather in the community for fabric painting, crochet, and other beautiful creations made by their own hands, during these moments of fellowship and relief from the pains of daily life.

On Tuesday, with Alan’s arrival from São José dos Campos, São Paulo, we began by sharing reflections on the previous days and offering the day’s prayer.

Adélia—a CLM resident of Contagem and a member of the ALMC Council—shared her life story and her work in the political arena, shedding light on some important points, such as the need to practice active listening in times of intense polarization, such as the one we are facing.

In the afternoon, Alejandro—a CLM from Guatemala—accompanied us to the APAC (prisons that apply a Restorative Justice method) in Santa Luzia, where we were welcomed by CLM Valdeci and Marcelo, who were there with the FBAC (Brazilian Fraternity for Assistance to the Incarcerated – https://site.fbac.net.br), who were conducting a leadership course for the “recuperandos” at the facility (the term used for inmates in prisons using the APAC method). This encounter with the recuperandos was very important, allowing us to immerse ourselves in this different reality.

We toured the APAC facility, learning about its entire methodology and organization, which enables a prison without armed guards, and where the inmates themselves are the protagonists in their resocialization process, involving their families and the community as well. From the initial apprehension of those unfamiliar with this work, a significant shift occurred after the visit, broadening horizons to the possibility of envisioning a rehabilitation process where the inmates themselves hold the keys to their cells.

CLM 2026/2027 Itinerary Group

Called to Be a Cenacle of Apostles

7 April, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

On the Saturday before Palm Sunday, we arrived at the Santa Terezinha Mission House of the Comboni Lay Missionaries, a missionary presence in the Ipê Amarelo neighborhood of Contagem, in the state of Minas Gerais, where we were welcomed by Ana Cris, Alejandro, and their family, Comboni Lay Missionaries from Guatemala.

The following day, we began our in-person formation session with the Palm Sunday procession, starting from the Nossa Senhora Aparecida community in Ipê Amarelo and proceeding to the São Judas community (about 2.5 km away), where Mass was celebrated, bringing together all 10 communities of the São Domingos de Gusmão Parish.

We gathered as Comboni Family, welcomed by the Mccj community present in the region, learning a bit more about the region’s history and the Comboni presence, and renewing old friendships.

Another memorable moment was gathering at the Comboni Justice and Peace House to meet with the Comboni Spirituality Group (GEC), and following a prayer session beautifully led by members of the GEC Contagem, we shared our lives and missionary experiences, both here and beyond borders, for, from the moment of our baptism, we are all missionaries and called to act at the frontiers where we are.

Fr. Rafael reminded us that “from the dimension of mission rooted in the Comboni charism, we rediscover the need to be true communities”—to work together in the spirit of the Cenacle of the Apostles, the Comboni identity of serving in a mission.

Because we love one another

Comboni had Christ in his heart and saw Christ in other countries.

May we love the mission, the poorest, and be steadfast in the call God has for each of us: to live united and happy.

CLM 2026/2027 Itinerary Group

Good Friday Through the Eyes of a Layperson

6 April, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

Today I experienced a different Good Friday—one that I didn’t just observe, but one in which I walked, carried, and offered.

I had the grace to participate in the procession of the Nazarene from the Santa María del Encinal quasi-parish, sharing with the community, with friends, and with two priests who are examples of what it means to be missionaries and people devoted in body and soul to Jesus and the Church, feeling the faith of every brother and sister walking beside me.

But I also experienced it with my family, who were my support at every moment.

My wife, with every loving glance, gave me the strength to keep going; and every time she shared a sip of water with me, I felt her care and her companionship, in a simple yet deeply meaningful gesture.

My children also walked with me on this journey of faith.

I was blessed to carry the burden alongside my eldest son, sharing the effort and commitment, and my youngest son, with every hug, reminded me of something very deep and true:

“You are not alone.”

Carrying Jesus on my shoulders was more than a physical act; it was a profound spiritual experience.

With every step I felt the weight of the cross, but I also felt the love He had for us.

The weariness in my feet, the pain in my arms and back, gradually turned into a silent offering, a simple way of saying to Jesus:

“Here I am, Lord, walking with you.”

It wasn’t easy, but in the midst of the effort, I understood that sacrifice can also be prayer.

Every drop of sweat, every moment of fatigue, every deep breath, was transformed into an act of love and gratitude.

And when 3:00 p.m. arrived—the time for the Adoration of the Cross—I experienced something new in my life.

It was the first time I had participated in this sacred act, and it was a beautiful experience, filled with silence, respect, and deep reflection.

As I contemplated the Cross, I recalled the passion and death of Jesus Christ, and a sincere gratitude was born in my heart for the sacrifice he made for all of us.

Today I understood that being a layperson is not just about attending or participating, but about giving oneself, serving, accompanying, and walking with Jesus among the people.

Being a layperson is living the faith with weary feet, busy hands, and a willing heart.

This Good Friday I didn’t just remember it… I lived it.

I lived it in community, with friends, with inspiring priests; I lived it with my family; I lived it in service; I lived it in the pain I offered and in deep gratitude.

And at the end of the day, though my body is tired, my soul is at peace, because I know that every step I took, every effort I offered, was a small token of love for the One who gave His life for us on the Cross.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your sacrifice, for your infinite love, and for allowing me to walk with you on this Good Friday, accompanied by my family, my community, and our priests, who were a reflection of your presence and your love in every moment.

CLM Guatemala