Formation – Page 2 – Comboni Lay Missionaries

Signs of Hope in our Being and Missionary Work

2 February, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

On January 30 and 31 and February 1, 2026, the group of Comboni Lay Missionaries of Peru held its National Assembly in Lima, a meeting that brought us together to reflect, evaluate, and revitalize our way of life and missionary commitment.

Guided by the theme “Signs of Hope in our Missionary Being and Doing,” members of the communities of Lima and Trujillo, accompanied by our advisor Fr. Gianni MCCJ, gathered in Chorrillos thanks to the careful organization of the national team.

During these days, we conducted a thorough review of our missionary work, sharing a sincere evaluation of achievements, difficulties, and lessons learned. It was a space to exchange experiences, express concerns, and nurture common dreams, thus strengthening the bonds that unite us as a sent community.

The assembly culminated with a Eucharist of commitment, which sealed in our hearts the signs of hope that, as lay missionaries, we want to embody and offer throughout the year 2026.

Among the most significant agreements, we highlight:

To assume greater responsibility for our commitments within the CLM, including financial support through voluntary contributions
To prepare ourselves to welcome with fraternity and accompany the Comboni Lay Missionaries who will join the mission in Peru from Kenya, Africa

This meeting has rekindled our missionary spirit and confirmed that, through communion and shared dedication, we are called to be tangible signs of hope in our land.

CLM-Peru

Coming together strengthens our collective journey

14 January, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

Participating in COP-30 in November 2025 and the Comboni Family Forum was a very memorable experience in my life. These were intense days of listening, learning, and sharing, during which I was able to closely follow important debates on climate justice, care for our Common Home, and the defense of peoples and territories.

During those days, I had some very meaningful experiences, such as Tapiri, a space for interreligious dialogue marked by respect, listening, and diversity of beliefs. I also had the opportunity to learn more about the work that the Comboni Missionaries do in other countries, which broadened my view of the struggles, challenges, and commitments undertaken in different realities.

Another very important moment was the visit to the community of Piquiá. This visit allowed us to present to the participants of the Comboni Family Forum, who came from outside, a little of our history, our struggles, and the resistance of our people. They visited the Frei Tito Community Center and also communities in the interior. It was a moment of sharing, visibility, and strengthening of our collective journey.

It was very good to see people again, talk to new people, and learn about different cultures. I take with me every conversation, every lesson learned, and every story lived. It was a remarkable experience, and I returned even stronger to continue on the journey, with faith, responsibility, and commitment to social and environmental transformation.

Mainara Bezerra, young woman from Piquiá/MA/Brazil

Guide to Peace Posters

8 January, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

On December 29, we published a blog post about peace materials created by the CLM in Germany.

At the request of some readers, today we are publishing a brief explanation of how to use these materials.

We hope you find it useful.

CLM Germany

How can we achieve peace?

29 December, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

As we approach the end of the year, our CLM brothers and sisters in Germany are offering us the posters they have created to promote peace. This is an initiative that we must always support.

One of the activities they carry out in Germany is the promotion of peace. These posters are offered free of charge to teachers, educators, and Christian communities.

We cannot falter in this endeavor.

The Prince of Peace was born in Bethlehem so that we may all live as brothers and sisters.

Merry Christmas, may peace reign throughout the world.

Peace – How Come Descarga

Jonas: mirror of our escapes

23 December, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

As planned in the programme of the year, we gathered in Ghana to have the Advent recollection. But, from a day in the Action Plan, we spread our gathering to cover three days for three main reasons. First, to have our recollection on the 13th December. Second, in order to be at Mafi-Kumase early for the recollection, we needed to be there on the 12th. And thirdly, to do vocation promotion at the parish where we met for the recollection.

In the evening of Friday, 12th December, Daniel, Christian, Elisabeth and Justin gathered at Good Shepherd Catholic Church of Mafi-Kumase and entered in the mood of recollection. We were joined later by Valentine. On Saturday, the 13th after the Holy Mass and breakfast, we had our first talk which was given to each one to read individually and reflect upon. It was a topic prepared by Fr. Manuel Joao Pereira Correia, mccj, which our chaplain gave to us to reflect upon. The title was Jonas: Mirror of our escapes. It was so meditative and Fr. Joao always left a question at the end of each subtopic to lead us in our meditation. An inspiring part of the topic was where father Joao quoted a theologian who said that the Lord is «The God of thousand surprises». He continued saying that ‘He even goes before us on the paths that lead us away from Him, in order to set a ‘trap’ for us so that we fall into his arms’. Indeed, that was what happened to Jonas when he was fleeing from the service that God entrusted to him.

In the afternoon, we had the second talk entitled ‘Inspired by Christian hope, let us live out our prophetic calling’ which our chaplain, Father Ephrem, mccj, shared with us. ‘One who hopes, he said, lives different life’. And our hope, he said, quoting a pope, is rooted in Jesus and Jesus is our hope. The prophet, according to father Ephrem, has three functions: talk in the name of God, denounce (the wrong doings) and suggest (new ways).

After the second talk, we had the celebration of the Sacrament of Conversion followed by the prayer of the Holy Rosary. In the night of that Saturday, we started a discussion on the Questionnaires that the African Committee sent to the various groups in Africa.

On Sunday, during mass, we were invited to share our vocation reality with the parishioners. Few got closer to us at the end showing interest to join us.

After lunch, we had a handing over ceremony. Justin who has been playing double role as National Coordinator of Ghana and Provincial Coordinator (Togo-Ghana-Benin) passed the service of the National Coordinator to Christian. Other members present were invited to pray upon the new National Coordinator. The Chaplain also prayed upon him and blessed him for the service the group and God have entrusted to him.

After this ceremony, we participated in the Zoom Meeting that gathered all the CLM worldwide to celebrate The International CLM Day before departing from Mafi-Kumase.

Justin Nougnui, CLM.