Formation – Comboni Lay Missionaries

CLM Kenya Members’ Meeting

11 June, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

From June 4–8, a meeting of CLM Kenya members took place in Kitelakapel. It was a special time of reflection, prayer, and planning for the future of our community.

During the meeting, we reviewed the development of CLM over the past six months and reflected on the direction we should take moving forward. Together, we discussed our strengths, challenges, and opportunities for further growth and service. Each day began with Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Joseph, during which we entrusted our plans, activities, and intentions to God. The gathering was also an excellent opportunity to strengthen our relationships, share experiences, and build community.

A particularly important event during our stay was the celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi on June 7. CLM members participated in the solemn Eucharistic procession in Kitelakapel. The Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. Joseph, who reminded us in his homily of the importance of the Eucharist as a source of unity, love, and strength for every Christian. It was a special time of prayer and a public witness to our faith.

After Holy Mass, the faithful took part in the procession with the Blessed Sacrament, honoring Christ truly present in the Eucharist. CLM members actively assisted in the preparation and organization of the celebration and helped throughout the entire event.

This beautiful feast brought together many parishioners, children, and young people, demonstrating the living faith of our community. It was also a special moment of unity, joy, and gratitude for the gift of Jesus’ presence among us.

On Monday, after Holy Mass and breakfast, we departed for our homes, taking with us new inspiration, spiritual encouragement, and renewed motivation to continue serving others.

We thank everyone for their presence, commitment, and the time we shared together. May Christ present in the Eucharist continue to guide and strengthen us in our daily lives and in our mission as

CLM Kenya

African Day 2026

27 May, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

We’d like to share with you this conversation organized by AMANI, a Spanish NGO that collaborates with the CLM, featuring the coordinator of the Central Committee of the Comboni Lay Missionaries.

In this video, he shares a glimpse of Africa—particularly from the perspective of the LMC present on the continent—covering some history, dreams, and the commitment to remain faithful to the missionary vocation inspired by St. Daniel Comboni. (Video in Spanish)

May God bless you!

21 May, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

I have just completed my Community Experience.

It was a special time, a gift from God, to deepen and enrich my relationship with God and with others.

I am especially grateful to Edyta and Stanisław’s family, as well as their three children, with whom I spent these past few months. They opened their home and their generous hearts to me.

I warmly thank them for their kindness and understanding.

I also thank the Comboni Brothers and Fathers, as well as all the Comboni Lay Missionaries, for every gesture, every piece of good advice, every spiritual accompaniment, every meeting, formation session, presentation, and catechesis on Daniel Comboni, and for all the good they have done for me and continue to do.

During this Community Experience, I was also able to participate in the Ignatian spiritual retreat in silence and in numerous religious events. I also visited the tomb of the Servant of God Helenka Kmieć, whom I chose as the patron saint of my missionary ministry at the beginning of the Community Experience.

I thank you all for your prayers and ask you to continue praying for me, as my departure for Africa is scheduled in a few weeks.

Warm regards,

With my prayers,

Leszek, LMC Poland

Fraternal embrace, joy, and readiness to serve

12 May, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

During April and May 2026, our community experienced moments of formation, reflection, and missionary service that strengthened our faith and commitment to our neighbors.

On Saturday, April 19, 2026, a formation day focused on human, Christian, and missionary maturity was held at Casa Comboni. We explored topics such as self-esteem, self-worth, and vocational discernment, reflecting on God’s call and the importance of persevering on the missionary path. We also strengthened our community formation by sharing teachings inspired by Father Damien and Carlo Acutis, as well as preparing formation materials for the CLM in San Luis Petén.

Later, on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the De León Community in El Manzanillo, San Lucas Sacatepéquez, we experienced a beautiful missionary day under the theme “Holy Spirit, Soul of the Mission.” Through prayer, cleaning, visits, fellowship, and workshops, we shared moments filled with joy, service, and love for our neighbors, discovering Christ in every person we visited.

As part of the celebration of Mother’s Day, we gave special thanks to all mothers for their love and dedication, and in a very special way to our Mother Mary, the first missionary and the first tabernacle, an example of faith, humility, and obedience.

May these experiences encourage us not to give up, to continue walking with hope, and to keep serving with joy those who need it most.

“God’s works are born and grow at the foot of the Cross.” — St. Daniel Comboni

CLM Guatemala

“Meeting God and Another Person”

11 May, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

Once a month, we experience our internal day of recollection — a special time to pause, pray, and look more deeply at what is happening in our hearts and in our mission. Although our CLM community in Chelopoy (Kenya) is small and consists of only two people, this is exactly what gives this time such a personal and profound character.

We divide the day of recollection into two parts. In each of them, we reflect on a passage from the Holy Scripture, which becomes the starting point for personal reflection. We try not only to read the Word, but truly allow it to touch our lives — our joys, struggles, questions, and experiences connected with the mission. It is a moment of silence, listening, and honest reflection deep within ourselves.

After personal prayer comes the time to share what we are experiencing. And it is often then that we discover that despite different experiences or ways of living our faith, many of our emotions and difficulties are very similar. These conversations help us understand each other better, notice how God works in another person’s life, and learn greater openness and mutual support.

Such a day also reminds us that community does not depend on the number of people, but on God’s presence among us and our willingness to be together in truth. Even in a very small community, one can experience the great strength of unity, mutual encouragement, and the peace that is born from shared prayer and listening to one another.

I am grateful for every such day — for the silence, for the conversations, and for the opportunity to pause and look at our mission from a new perspective. It is a time that strengthens us spiritually, helps us find meaning in everyday life, and reminds us that God leads us step by step, even when the road is demanding.

Iza, CLM in Chelopoy