Comboni Family – Page 4 – Comboni Lay Missionaries

I have the passion of someone who follows a dream

30 July, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

“I would like to say something special to those of you who are sensitive to beautiful things: have a dream! Cultivate a beautiful dream and follow it throughout your life! A life that has a dream is a happy life. A life that follows a dream is a life that is renewed every day. Our life, which seems long, is actually short. May your dream make not only everyone happy, but also future generations. It is beautiful to dream of making all humanity happy. It is not impossible!” – Ezequiel Ramin

Father Ezequiel Ramin, a Comboni missionary, wrote this text four years before he was brutally murdered by gunmen on July 24, 1985, in Cacoal, in the state of Rondônia, at the age of 32. He had a dream. The dream of the Kingdom of God. He embraced the cause of the poorest. He died defending the small and unjustly treated, farmers and indigenous people. This year we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the martyrdom of Father Ezequiel Ramin, martyr of justice in the Amazon.

It is estimated that more than two thousand people from Rondônia and other parts of Brazil and the world participated in the 10th Fr. Ezequiel Ramin Pilgrimage and commemorated his martyrdom in Cacoal/RO and Rondolândia/MT on July 26 and 27. In 2025, the Comboni missionaries will also mark 50 years of presence in Rondônia.

May the testimony of Ezequiel Ramin encourage us in our mission.

“If my life belongs to you, my death also belongs to you.” – E. Ramin

Fr. Ezequiel Ramin, present!

LMC Brasil

Celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Anchilo

27 July, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

It was with great faith and joy that on Sunday, July 13, in the presence of the communities and the people of God in general, several priests, and the rector of the diocesan seminary, Holy Mass was celebrated, presided over by Dom Inácio Saúre, I.M.C., Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nampula and president of CEM (Episcopal Commission of Mozambique).

As part of the 75th anniversary celebration, how beautiful was the shared lunch and the afternoon with cultural moments presented by the parish communities!

This beautiful moment of faith ended with the parish priest’s blessing to the faithful.

Tito, LMC in Mozambique

On the reality of life in Sudan

17 July, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

Father Jorge Naranjo, a Comboni missionary, tells us in an interview about the reality of life since the outbreak of war in Sudan.

In particular, he tells us about the University in Khartoum, run by the Comboni missionaries, during the war and how training programs are being reestablished to serve young people and give hope to the Sudanese people.
(Interview in Spanish)

A provincial opportunity

15 July, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

For the first time, representatives from the three countries of Togo Ghana Benin Province met in Adidogome, Lomé on July 5, 2025.

The three countries of the province were represented to participate in the funeral mass of our colleague BOTRI Ernest’s mother. This Saturday, after the funeral mass, we held a meeting at the Comboni Sisters’ house in Lomé. The meeting was led by the Provincial Coordinator Justin together with Reverend Father Badou Ephrem, Chaplain of the CLM in the province.

The meeting began with a prayer before the roundtable for the introduction of the participants at the meeting. The atmosphere was very friendly and warm. We finally met face to face after being in telephone contact for months.

The Provincial Coordinator conveyed useful information from the Province, and the Chaplain emphasized the necessity of training and participation in training sessions.

The meeting ended with the blessing from our Chaplain. Each of us took the road back home, and through the intercession of Saint Daniel Comboni, we had safe travels.

Lucien Aboe

Between eco-friendly candles, anniversaries, and many activities

2 July, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

June was a month full of blessings for the CLM of Guatemala, by the grace of God and under the intercession of St. Daniel Comboni, with various initiatives that marked our missionary work.

On June 7, we carried out our missionary activity in the community of León El Manzanillo. During our visit, in addition to spending time with the members of the community, we gave a talk on the Holy Spirit and Pentecost. As part of the day, we held a workshop on making eco-friendly candles, and those who participated were very enthusiastic and satisfied with the experience.

On the same date, we celebrated the 8th anniversary of the Chispuditos Program. This nutritional project has focused on the children of the villages of La Salvadora I and II, in the municipality of Santa Catarina Pinula, as well as their mothers, bringing them the Word and promoting their development as leaders. It should be noted that last year the program was handed over to the community; since then, the mothers have been leading the program.

On Sunday, June 8, we participated in the Vocational Expo organized by the Vicariate of the Center: Our Lady of the Assumption, held in the gym of Don Bosco College. This event allowed us to share with young people interested in the different congregations present. In addition to the information stands, there were moments of praise, Eucharistic adoration, and Holy Mass. It was a valuable opportunity to transmit and live the charism of the Comboni Family together with those in attendance.

A week later, on Sunday, June 15, we held our monthly community gathering, beginning with the celebration of Holy Eucharist, followed by a shared breakfast. During the gathering, we reflected on the Comboni charism and worked on a special theme about the key elements that strengthen self-esteem. We addressed aspects such as self-control, personal goals, communication skills, and body image perception. As a pleasant surprise, we had a visit from a married couple interested in learning more about our community.

In each activity of the month, we reaffirmed our commitment to serve and accompany the communities, always driven by our faith and evangelizing mission.

LMC Guatemala