Blog – Comboni Lay Missionaries

One in Christ, United in Mission

6 May, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

The spiritual retreat for the CLM is very important; it helps us recognize what God is asking of each of us, it renews us when we need to make corrections in our lives, and it prepares us when we need to make decisions. Our spiritual director, Fr. Filomeno Ceja MCCJ, led the opening and closing of the retreat. He accompanied us through personal conversations; his advice is always spot-on and helps us make decisions both personally and as a group.

Mariana joined us virtually from the mission in Metlatónoc, Guerrero, to greet us; we continue to invite people to join the missionary project. She is very happy; it always brings us joy to see her so happy and increasingly integrated into the service she performs, following the work plan with the parish.

The monthly half-day retreat that we CLM hold in Mexico is very important; it prepares us and helps us better experience our annual three-day retreat, giving us time to be at the source and find God’s grace for ourselves. on this occasion our central theme was Pope Leo XIV’s message for DOMUND 2026, “One in Christ, United in Mission.” Fr. Héctor Manuel Peña MCCJ was the preacher; we had moments of prayer, reflection on the theme, personal reflection, lectio divina, sharing, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Eucharist, all of which helped us have a personal encounter with God.

Eight of us were able to attend: Daniel, Alejandra (widow), Cesar, Ana and Florencio (married couple), Hortensia, Adriana, and Beatriz. It has been very interesting to see how each of us is walking this path, the challenges to overcome, and the goal to reach. We regret that some of our companions could not be present due to work and study commitments; we kept them in our prayers, which always unite us.

Florencio and Ana made a one-year commitment to follow the CLM path during Sunday Mass at the San Francisco del Rincón community in Guanajuato; they have pledged to continue doing monthly missionary animation and to support formation. Daniel took on a personal task and will continue his growth within the group; Alejandra will be accompanied as she works through her personal situation; Cesar decided to leave the group; Adriana, Hortensia, and Beatriz will remain on the coordination team.

God continues to challenge us through our lay reality; returning to daily life and making our missionary commitment a living reality is not easy, but we know that “All things are possible for those who strengthen us,” convinced that we will continue moving forward together in our missionary commitment to evangelization.

CLM Mexico

Testimony of Benjamine Kimala, Comboni Missionary Sister

5 May, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

Benjamine Kimala is a Comboni Missionary Sister from Chad. After spending several years in Ecuador and Peru, she has returned to her home country to work in missionary animation. In the video, she shares her personal experience as a missionary (audio in Spanish).

Prayer Intentions of the Comboni Family May 2026

2 May, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

In the month in which we celebrate the 60th World Communications Day, let us pray that all those involved in communications within the Comboni Family may be able to recount the beauty that in-habits the world with good stories that edify and give hope. Let us pray.

Our Experience in Lima (Peru)

21 April, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

After traveling quite a bit, we arrived in Lima, Peru. We were warmly welcomed by Mrs. Ana and Mr. Fisher from the CLM in Peru. It was the first time we had spent Holy Week away from our country and family.

We celebrated Palm Sunday at the chapel near our home. We enjoyed the songs and prayers. People were very happy to meet us. They gave us a brief moment to introduce ourselves.

On Good Friday, we went to the Pamplona neighborhood for the Stations of the Cross. It was a new experience. Everywhere we went, we shared food and joy.

On other days, we visited the families of the CLM members who live in Lima, and we also went to the scholastics’ house and the provincial house. We also visited downtown Lima to do some sightseeing and see some very beautiful places.

So far, we’re having a very good experience. We like the food in Peru. The climate suits us well. We’ve learned about the culture, about money, and how people pay for food and other things.

We’re currently studying hard to improve our Spanish. We want to learn Spanish well so we can provide the best missionary service possible. We’re learning a lot about the culture and history, and we’re also interacting well with the people.

Belinda, CLM in Peru

Confronting Contradictions in the Mission Territory

20 April, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

On Holy Thursday, we dedicated our morning for a moment of prayer at the home of a family from the Ipê community. We prayed together and reflected on the text written by Valdeci regarding CF 2026.

Afterward, we took a walk, observing the glaring contradictions around us.

Ipê Amarelo is a neighborhood born out of the organization of homeless families who used to pay rent. It is a story of the struggle to secure housing in the 1990s, when, through much struggle and resistance, they moved from living in tents to their own homes. But it is also bordered by a large wall that marks social inequality, for behind the walls, guarded by security guards, lies one of the most luxurious condominiums in the region. Visiting the families was a time to listen to their stories, learn about their joys and challenges, and experience the community’s characteristic hospitality.

In the evening, we participated in the foot-washing ceremony at the Nossa Senhora Aparecida Community, a beautiful moment that reminded us that “we are the church of shared bread, of embrace, and of peace.”

CLM Brazil