We pray for the victims of trafficking: that the Lord break the chains of their slavery, and that, through the intercession of Saint Daniel Comboni and Saint Josephine Bakhita, we may all fight with courage and tenacity against this scourge. Let us pray.
Dear Comboni Lay Missionaries and all the People of God.
The mission continues! For the past three months, I have been on mission in Piquiá, Açailândia, in the state of Maranhão, where I work at the Rural Family Home (CFR), which serves students in their first, second, and third years of high school—mostly the children of farmers who, in addition to theoretical instruction, learn hands-on skills in agriculture, vegetable gardening, fruit growing, fish farming, animal husbandry, and beekeeping.
I see this as very important and necessary work so that our young people can continue to live on the land and provide for their families.
On weekends, I’m joining the activities of the Santa Luzia Parish in Piquiá, and will soon begin to get involved in pastoral work.
I always count on the prayers of each one of you to give me the strength to continue on this journey.
A big hug to everyone.
Tito, Comboni Lay Missionary.
With the help and support of the “Afriquespoir” choir, affiliated with the Comboni Missionaries, the Laudato Si Missionary Center, in collaboration with the community’s ecological commission, organized a concert on June 27, 2026, to praise God for creation.
In fact, praise is one of the fundamental pillars of the pastoral ministry of Integral Ecology. Only by recognizing that the Lord is the Creator and Lord of the entire universe can we also understand our role and act as stewards who preserve and care for creation, while working together to fulfill what the Lord has foretold since the dawn of time.
The choir’s performance kept the audience’s attention firmly engaged, performing traditional, classical, and popular songs with creativity and a lively rhythm. They opened the concert with the Laudato Si’ Center’s hymn, titled “Lord, We Praise You, Lord, We Adore You for the Wonders You Accomplish,” a song composed by Comboni Brother Alfred Mbungi, a missionary in Buta.
In the final segment, they performed the late Father Makamba’s song “Po Po Botiaki Ntembe?”, which highlights the root causes of the evils that are plunging creation into crisis; it serves as a reminder that, despite the fact that nature provides everything for humanity, there is still so much hunger and misery in the world, especially in Africa. This happens because a small minority imposes a technocratic model that drives unlimited production with no respect for God’s providential plan—for He is the Father of all. With unbridled greed, they cut down forests and pollute rivers with chemicals. These are people who misappropriate common goods and, with the arrogance of force and weapons, seek only their own interests and profits.
This is why praise for the Creator must be put into practice in daily life, as demonstrated by the vision, creativity, and resilience of certain young people and women. Dino Zoli Mundele, on behalf of the Montngafula youth group, shared with us about door-to-door separate waste collection. Jean Denis Djamba spoke to us about the urgent need to reduce plastic use, a commitment promoted by the youth of the Laudato si’ movement. Scholastic Denis Mbaiornom, on behalf of the community’s ecological commission, emphasized the commitment to recycling and reusing tires and other items to reduce waste accumulation. Ms. Mayawa Miriam is dedicated to making organic products for personal hygiene and skin care. Justin Bosenge Isakolota creatively manages to make “Wiva Kamouna” wine from avocado leaves—undoubtedly a special drink worth trying. Comboni Lay Missionary Fabrice Aifa Wetu, in collaboration with CENCO, is committed to reducing and halting deforestation, aware that without forests, biodiversity declines dramatically and that there can no longer be life in abundance for people or other living beings. Finally, there is the vision of Luciana Mohila Mbongo, who is promoting the “One Boy—One Tree” project to plant trees in the desolate city of Kinshasa, which is growing out of proportion without trees or green spaces.
These testimonies, together with praise to God, showed each and every one of us the path to follow in our lives and daily routines: adopting a way of life that respects the laws of nature and fosters truly fraternal relationships, respecting and valuing differences—just as nature teaches us, for it is rich and beautiful thanks to its great biodiversity.
A final toast, offered by the Center, brought the day to a close, with plans already set for the meetings and initiatives scheduled for the coming months.
Fr. Fernando Zolli
After a period of prayerful discernment and a temporary pause in our journey as Comboni Lay Missionaries of the North American Province (NAP), we are filled with gratitude to announce the renewal of our community. By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are once again gathering with renewed zeal, inspired by the missionary charism of St. Daniel Comboni and his dream of bringing the love of Christ to the most abandoned and forgotten.
As Comboni Lay Missionaries spread throughout the United States and Canada, we have begun meeting monthly through Zoom, allowing us to remain united despite the great distances that separate us. On the first Tuesday of every month, we come together for a Prayer Night; a sacred time to strengthen our communion, nurture our missionary identity, and rekindle the fire of our vocation.
These gatherings provide an opportunity to share how the Lord is working in our lives, to reflect on our experiences serving in international missions, and to encourage one another as missionary disciples. Above all, we gather before the Lord in prayer, entrusting to His Sacred Heart our personal intentions, the needs of the Church, and the cries of our world.
In the spirit of St. Daniel Comboni, whose heart burned with love for the mission, we pray fervently for peace throughout the world, for all missionaries serving near and far, for those who suffer on the margins of society, and for an increase in missionary vocations. We also remember all those who support us through their prayers and friendship.
Our Prayer Night is open to anyone who would like to join us, pray with us, and learn more about the vocation of the Comboni Lay Missionary. It has become a beautiful opportunity not only to deepen our faith but also to share the gift of this missionary calling with others who may be discerning how the Lord is inviting them to serve His Kingdom.
As St. Daniel Comboni taught, “Save Africa with Africa,” reminding us that evangelization is accomplished through participation, accompaniment, and trust in God’s providence. Today, we continue to live this missionary spirit as lay people committed to making Christ known and loved wherever He sends us.
We invite you to journey with us in prayer and mission. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide our renewed community, and may the Heart of Jesus, source of all missionary love, inspire new generations of Comboni Lay Missionaries to respond generously to God’s call.
“Either mission or death” was Comboni’s passionate cry. May we, too, live with hearts fully given to Christ and His mission.
Peace and blessings,
Comboni Lay Missionaries of the North American Province
Greetings everyone,
I would like to share a brief update on our missionary journey here in Arequipa, Peru. Since our arrival, we have been actively involved in various parish activities and ministries that continue to enrich our faith and strengthen our commitment to service.
A central aspect of our missionary life is our participation in Holy Mass throughout the week. Through the Eucharist, we are spiritually nourished and receive the grace and strength needed to carry out our mission with joy and dedication.
On Mondays and Wednesdays, we accompany one of the brothers who leads catechism classes for adults preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. It has been a blessing to witness their desire to deepen their relationship with Christ and fully embrace their faith.
On Tuesdays and Fridays, we serve at a daycare center, assisting in the care of two-year-old children and supporting the staff in their daily responsibilities. This ministry has taught us the importance of patience, tenderness, and attentive care for the youngest members of our community.
Every Thursday begins with a retreat and meeting with the priests of the parish. During this time, we pray together, reflect on our missionary experiences, and plan upcoming parish activities. Later in the day, we visit elderly members of the community, ranging in age from 60 to 100 years old. We spend time talking with them, listening to their stories, dancing, and checking on their well-being. These encounters remind us of the value of companionship, respect, and the wisdom that comes with age.
On Friday afternoons, we gather with the youth for moments of fellowship and social interaction. We answer their questions, share our experiences and culture from Kenya, and enjoy recreational activities such as playing volleyball together. These gatherings provide opportunities to build meaningful relationships and encourage young people in their faith journey.
Through all these activities, we continue to grow in our missionary vocation while accompanying and serving the people of Arequipa. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of this community and to witness God’s work in the lives of those we encounter each day.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we strive to be faithful instruments of God’s love and mercy in our mission.
May God bless you abundantly.
Belinda and Claudina, Kenian CLM in Peru
