I had the privilege of attending an enriching Enneagram workshop organized by the Comboni Lay Missionaries in Nairobi. The Enneagram is a system of classifying personality type, which can help someone better understand themselves and how to relate to others. The workshop brought together around 20 vibrant and diverse participants, both CLM members and candidates. All eager to grow in self-awareness and community spirit.
Our sessions were animated by the ever-energetic Lorna Tumbo, whose warmth and enthusiasm lit up every moment. Her passion and deep understanding of the Enneagram created an engaging, reflective, and at times, emotional learning environment. Everyone was truly impressed and inspired by her facilitation.
We shared stories, laughed together, reflected deeply, and built meaningful connections. It was not just a workshop, it was a heartfelt journey of transformation and discovery.
I joined the Comboni Lay Missionaries in February, and so far, my experience has been incredibly fulfilling. I feel part of a mission-driven family that values faith, service, and personal growth.
One of the highlights for me was discovering my Enneagram personality type. I came to know myself as a Type 6 – The Loyalist. This insight helped me understand my core motivations, fears, and how I respond to the world. It’s a discovery that is already helping me become more intentional in how I live, serve, and relate with others.
This workshop reminded me that mission starts within, with knowing and loving ourselves. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I look forward to continuing this journey of faith and transformation.
Sometimes, in the hospital, days go by immersed in daily routine, in routine work. It is often difficult to break the monotony. Although we deal with different people, the same moments are repeated: the crying, the disorientation, the exhausting wait before a farewell that we do not want to come, a diagnosis that stops our life, an unwanted loneliness, persistent and chronic pain…
In the midst of all this suffering, and in the context of the Easter season that we are celebrating, I ask myself again and again: Where are you, Lord? How can I see you and discover you risen? What signs of Life can I find in the midst of so much pain?
And then I see you. I discover you in those words full of tenderness that ask for permission to clean a patient in bed, to take a blood test. I recognize you in the hands that caress with comfort the cheeks of those who suffer, in the eyes of the bedridden person who, with a look and a smile, says good morning to us. You are in the hands always ready to help, in those who, despite the daily hustle and bustle, find time to listen.
Yes, Lord, you dwell in all these situations. And it is there where I recognize you and see you Risen, giving LIFE in the midst of so many experiences of death that sometimes we have to live as health-care workers.
“Peace be with you all! This was the first greeting of the Risen Jesus. The good shepherd who gave his life for the people of God”.
This is how the new Pope Leo XIV began his first greeting upon his election.
He is an Augustinian missionary, son of immigrants, American by birth and Peruvian by adoption, who for twelve years served as Prior General of the Augustinians and who has been a missionary in Peru for 18 years.
In these days there will be much talk about his past, they will try to find out his style, his inclinations, they will debate whether he is more conservative or progressive….
By his fruits you will know him (Mt 7:16).
We pray for him and for his new mission, so important for the whole church and for the whole world.
But not only do we want to accompany him with our prayers, but we also want to be co-responsible. The Church has been praying that the Holy Spirit will accompany us at this time and help us to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and help in the needs of the world.
This is not only the task of the Pope, but of each and every one of us Christians. It is up to each and every one of us who are called to be faithful to the Gospel. If we want a Church close to those who suffer, of simple life, of deep hope that can transmit the peace that the risen Lord wants for all, … If we want it to be a helping hand that consoles and helps in difficult moments, the tireless companion that encourages in the struggle for a more just and humane world for all, that creates bridges so that war or violence is never the solution to conflicts, that helps to understand the richness of those who are different and drives away the fear of the unknown or of those who come from another country, another culture or who profess another faith. If we seek a world without so many inequalities where we know how to share the richness, more than enough for everyone but that many times is hoarded by few and causes difficulties for many… If we want to take care of the earth, our common home, which is a loan of future generations and a place to enjoy the wonders that God has given us… …. If we want a Church worthy of the Holy Spirit himself, it is up to all of us to discern the responsibility we have. It is up to each one of us personally to take a step forward. It is up to us as a community to help each other, to comfort each other, to question each other, to strengthen each other and to walk together because together we find God who makes himself present among us.
We pray for the new pope and for each of us Christians called to serve the world and to follow in the footsteps of the Risen Jesus who precedes us, who continues to open roads, accompanying and living on the peripheries, close to those who need him and faithful until his last breath.
First words of the new Pope Leo XIV
Here is his first message translated:
Peace be with you! Dear brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they may be; and to all peoples and the whole earth: peace be with you.
This is the peace of the risen Christ, a disarming, humbling and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves us all, without limits or conditions. Let us keep in our ears the faint but always courageous voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome, the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day, on Easter morning.
Let me continue with that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in God’s hands. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with each other, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs his light. Humanity needs him as a bridge to reach God and his love. Help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so that we may all be one people always at peace.
Thank you, Pope Francis!
Thank you to my brother cardinals who elected me to be the successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church seeking all together peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the Gospel.
I am a son of St. Augustine, I am an Augustinian. He said: “With you I am a Christian, for you I am a bishop”. May we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.
To the Church of Rome, a special greeting: we must seek together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialoguing, always open to receive with open arms everyone, like this square, open to all, to whoever needs our charity, our presence, our dialogue, our love.
And if I may also say a word, a greeting, to all those, and in particular to my beloved Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied their Bishop, have shared their faith, and have given so much, in order to continue to be the faithful Church of Jesus Christ.
To all of you, brothers and sisters of Rome, of Italy, of the whole world, we want to be a synodal Church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially with those who suffer.
Today is the day of the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii.
Our Blessed Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, to be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. Therefore, let us pray together for this mission, for the whole Church and for peace in the world.
Let us ask this special grace to Mary, our mother.
In his apostolic exhortation, Pope Francis stressed that mission is not the task of a few, but of the whole Church. It is a responsibility shared by all Christians, regardless of age or condition.
2. “Mission is a loving response to God’s love”
Year of Mercy, 2015
On several occasions, Francis stressed that mission springs from our response to God’s immense love. As we experience that love, we cannot help but share it with the world.
3. “Mission is not our work, but God’s”
Missionary Sending Mass, 2016
He reminded missionaries that, although we are his instruments, mission is first and foremost God’s work. We do not act on our own, but are sent by Him to transmit His love.
4. “Missionary ardor is an obligation of love”
World Mission Day, 2017
The Pope emphasized that missionary ardor is not an option, but an obligation that arises from love for God and for others. It is a love that should impel us to bring the good news to every corner of the world.
5. “Mission springs from prayer and listening to the Word of God”
100th anniversary of the Pontifical Mission Societies, 2017
Francis reminded us that mission is rooted in prayer and active listening to the Word of God. It is from this relationship with Him that our passion to proclaim His message is born.
6. “Mission is an invitation to spend ourselves with commitment, creativity and generosity”
World Mission Day, 2018
For the Pope, mission implies a total commitment, where each one of us must give the best of ourselves, with effort, creativity and generosity.
7. “Proclaiming the Gospel is the first and greatest charity”
World Day of Charity, 2018
The Pope assured that the greatest work of charity we can do is to evangelize. Carrying the message of Christ is an act of love for others, a commitment that we must live generously.
8. “Mission is the heart of the Christian faith”
World Mission Day, 2021
In one of his most powerful messages, the Pope affirmed that mission is at the very heart of the Christian faith. It is the life-giving heart of the Church, and we must live it with courage and passion.
9. “Mission is oxygen for Christian life”
Meeting of the Pontifical Mission Societies, 2023
In an emotional meeting with missionaries, the Pope declared that mission is fundamental for Christian life, an “oxygen” that gives us life and meaning.
10. “Mission is a tireless reaching out to all humanity”
World Mission Day, 2024
In his message for World Mission Day 2024, Pope Francis invited us to never stop. Mission is a constant going toward all, no matter the difficulties.
The tradition of the people strengthened my faith. On the first Friday of Lent I had the opportunity to live the novenary of the Señor de los Trabajos in Metlatónoc, where I will soon have my mission experience. It was something that helped me to get to know a little of this people to which I will be sent.
We were invited by the parish priest MCCJ Fr. Miguel Navarrete Arceo to the feast of the First Friday of Lent, so that he could introduce us to Bishop Dagoberto; as well as to participate in the retreat with the people who received the Sacrament of Confirmation. I was very happy to meet young people from the Xacundutia community who began their formation in the Mission 2024 Camp where I participated.
I can say that there are some new things that I found that I can compare with what I have experienced with my family. For example, when the pilgrimage arrives at the parish before entering they pray at the four points that are marked in the atrium, they give more importance to the Eve of the Feast than to the day itself, they have the custom of taking the offering of flowers and the lighted candles on the pilgrimage, they pray the rosary in Latin accompanied by the wind band. Once they finish their rites they take home some of the flowers offered and blessed as a relic that helps the person in their needs.
Here they are not used to participate in the daily Eucharist, but they do ask the priest to pray for them during the mass. We have been making people aware of the importance of their Sunday participation in the Eucharist.
This parish community helps me to better understand the topics that I am receiving in the community experience, opening my horizon to new realities, without judging the experience of God in the native peoples, being willing to live traditions and practices without losing my essence of who I am, where I come from and where God sends me; enriching my faith and strengthening my life for the mission.
Mariana Meléndez Candido.
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