Comboni Lay Missionaries

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Message from the General Council for the Feast of Saint Daniel Comboni

by
Comboni

REKINDLING THE FIRE OF MISSIONARY PASSION

Dear confrères,

Comboni

We greet you with the peace and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we extend our warmest wishes to you on the solemnity of Saint Daniel Comboni, our Founder. This day is a special occasion for all of us, and for everyone whose life has been touched and inspired by his example and mission.

Two weeks ago, we concluded our Inter-capitular Assembly, which had begun with a day of formation on the theme Reviving the Fire for Mission. A clear message emerged: the urgent need to strengthen our unity and to build communities capable of responding to the challenges of our times, making careful use of the human and material resources entrusted to us. At the same time, we must recognise that our Comboni identity must be preserved and strengthened: some confrères leave the Institute, others retire, and we wonder where the courage to go where others dare not go has gone

From the very beginning, we have been an international and multicultural family. This diversity is not a mere detail: it is a sign of the Kingdom and a testimony that communion among peoples and cultures is possible in Christ. It is a message of hope for a world often divided. Preserving this gift is more essential than ever, if we want to counteract nationalism and tribalism, which risk creeping into our communities too.

To face these challenges, we must rekindle the fire of our missionary passion. Fire is a symbol of zeal, courage, and conviction; it drives us to mission and sustains us in difficult times. Jesus Christ, the first ‘Missionary of the Father’, said: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk 12:49). Comboni also often spoke of a “heart burning with genuine love of God”: “When the Missionary in Africa has a heart burning with the pure love of God, when he keeps his eyes fixed on the contemplation of the great goodness and sublimeness of the work for which he spends himself, then all the privations, the continuous hardships, the greatest trials become a paradise on earth for his heart” (Writings, 2705).

When this fire burns in us, crosses and difficulties cannot stop us. A heart on fire remains focused on the goal and is not distracted by obstacles or setbacks.

We are convinced that a mission such as ours — whose fruits we may not fully see, where years of work may seem fruitless, and which sometimes challenges logic and hope — can only be carried forward if we are truly inflamed with passion.

Today more than ever, we feel called to rekindle this fire. Many of us feel weary or fragile, and this fatigue can affect our communities as well. To nourish the flame, we must remove the ashes and add fresh wood. The best way to do this is to return to the original fire that burned within us when we first responded to the Comboni missionary call — those moments when Comboni’s life and the mission of the Comboni Missionaries touched our hearts deeply.

Each of us remembers the moment when Comboni’s life set our hearts ablaze: perhaps it was his selflessness in responding to God’s call as an only son; or his courage to leave the Mazza Institute to pursue what he considered essential; or his perseverance in the face of opposition, even within the Church; or his steadfast faith in times of loss; or his conviction of the dignity of the African people, his tireless commitment to integral human development, his openness to diverse cultures, and his prophetic vision of mission.

Whatever the spark that first inspired us, it still burns and can rekindle our missionary fire. When we let it burn again, we overcome fatigue, indifference, and complacency; our love for mission is renewed, giving us strength to face every challenge.

And what better time than the feast of our Founder to rekindle this flame, remembering that he has given us a unique identity in the Church and in the world as Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus?

Wishing you a joyful feast day!

Rome, 10th October 2025

Solemnity of Saint Daniel Comboni

The MCCJ general council

God’s Gift of Earth

by
LMC Moçambique

When God created the world and gave it to humankind,

He thought of their well-being, not the chaos that man would cause.

He devoted himself with great love to a full life for all.

The earth is a divine gift; without it, there is no life.

We need to change our destiny and transform reality.

We must know that we are responsible for life to continue.

Preserve what God created, reforest the place

Clean rivers and lakes, respect the ocean

Take care of animals and plants and preserve life.

Change our lifestyle, recycle and reuse

Use organic fertilizer and plant our vegetables

Change our agriculture and prevent diseases.

Demand from our authorities public policies to improve

The life of citizens and the place where they live

Have the courage to assume that politics is for working

To improve the lives of people and respect the planet.

This is the awareness that every human being should have

That we are not alone, we were made to live together

Respecting each one, because, no matter how small they may be

They have their usefulness, they have the right to live.

Laudato Si teaches us that it is possible to transform

Pope Francis shows us practices to use

The Encyclical is the path where Christians should find inspiration.

Regimar Costa – LMC Brazil in Mozambique

Caring for our common home and democracy is a daily struggle!

by
LMC Brasil

At the Generating Hope for Climate Justice conference, promoted by the Vatican to mark the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that “there is no room for indifference or resignation,” and among many warnings, he spoke of the need for “Everyone in society, through non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups, must pressure governments to develop and implement stricter regulations, procedures, and controls. Citizens need to take an active role in political decision-making at the national, regional, and local levels.”

This call from the Pope is directly linked to the reflection made in this year’s Cry of the Excluded, a demonstration that takes place in Brazil every September 7, as we can read in the sharing made by the Italian CLM, Emma Chiolini, below:

The demonstration has had a profound meaning since its creation in 1995, highlighting existing inequalities in various areas, such as lack of access to health care, education, housing, decent work, and security, which will still not be guaranteed to everyone in 2025. This year’s event also has the motto “Caring for our common home and democracy is a daily struggle!”, reflecting the connection with the climate and social crises and the defense of democracy at a time of internal and external threats. In addition, this year in particular, there was solidarity with the Palestinian people and the genocide they are suffering in an unprecedented, politically, socially, and humanly unjust war. More than a protest, the Cry of the Excluded represents popular resistance, articulating the defense of human rights, national sovereignty, and democracy. The demonstration is, therefore, a call for solidarity and citizen participation, reaffirming that the struggle for social justice must be constant so that Brazil and the world can move toward a more just, democratic, and sustainable society.

In 2025, the movement strengthens these demands by promoting a Popular Plebiscite, whose objective is to include the population in decisions on issues such as the reduction of working hours, the end of the 6×1 shift, and the taxation of the super-rich. Everyone’s participation is important; it is democracy, it is equality, it is recognition. We cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of those who are crushed daily by this society. We cannot remain indifferent to inequality. We cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of oppressed peoples and the arrogance of the strongest. Therefore, the cry of the Excluded must not be silenced, nor must the denunciation of those who wish to silence it be silenced. I believe in a path that is built together, that starts from below, from the people, from a critical consciousness that allows us to see that the struggle must be constant and continuous. Bertolt Brecht said that when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes a duty. In a globalized world, we can no longer say that we do not know. Pepe Mujica left us a quote that serves as an example for our daily lives: “Politics is a struggle for the happiness of all.” In a world where humanity seems to be disappearing, let us make a difference again: let us be human again!

Emma Chiolini, Salvador, Brazil

Our Workshop Experience at Gataka Napenda Kuishi

by
LMC Kenia

From September 19th to 21st, we had the privilege of attending a workshop at Gataka Napenda Kuishi. The three-day event was more than just a series of sessions̶ it was a meaningful time of learning, community-building, and welcoming new members into the group. We were honored to welcome 11 new members who attended physically, comprising both students and professionals. Additionally, participants from Meru and Kitelakapel joined virtually, expanding our reach and ensuring inclusivity. The atmosphere was warm and engaging, with conversations and connections forming effortlessly among all participants. One of the highlights was a session led by Lorna, our guest and a psychology specialist. Her topic, Building Interpersonal Relationships, emphasized the importance of empathy, active listening, and intentional communication in creating strong, healthy bonds. She reminded us that true relationships are built not only on presence but on understanding and mutual respect. Her insights were practical and will remain applicable in both personal and professional interactions. On Sunday, we were also inspired by Maciej, who facilitated a session on Biblical Catechesis. His reflections deepened our understanding of faith as a shared journey and offered spiritual grounding that connects our community beyond the workshop setting.

“I love the collaboration and bond between all guys; it felt like we’ve known each other for long. I look forward to more meetings and experiences.” ̶ David Marigu

“The topics taught̶ I’ll be able to use the knowledge in my day-to-day life.” ̶ Angela

“I am so happy to be part of this group. The experience was good, and I look forward to more.”
Muthusi Emmanuel

As the workshop concluded, participants expressed joy and gratitude for the opportunity to learn and connect. Each person left with valuable lessons, new friendships, and renewed purpose. The event was truly a success, and we look forward to our next workshop̶ an even greater opportunity to grow together in knowledge, faith, and unity.

Prepared by: Yvonne Kilemi