On days 22, 23 and 24 January 2016 another formation of Lay Comboni Missionaries was performed, the first in 2016, in the house of MCCJ in Viseu. Training by the CLM Pedro Moreira, that focused on the role of the laity in evangelization, using the documents of the Church.
On Saturday morning, we started the day with the celebration of the Eucharist with the community of Viseu. In the morning, after breakfast, we start with the Lumen Gentium, Cristifidelis Laici and Redemptoris Missio encyclical. The aim was to deepen the true role of the laity in the Church. The laity incorporated into the Church through baptism should always be witnesses of Christ in the family, at work, with friends, in short, in all situations of life. Still in the morning, we were invited to meditate individually some of the texts proposed. The silence was very productive and allowed us to listen to God who wanted to talk to us. In fact, the life of a Christian, of a missionary, has to pass through the arid desert to Jesus returns us productive. As we emphasized at the meeting, faith is a personal encounter, is an experience of personal encounter.
In the afternoon, we move into our training as lay with a missionary charism. As CLM, we were invited to reflect on various writings of Comboni, deepen the spirituality of Comboni, whose essential characteristics are: the Cross, the Good Shepherd, the Heart of Jesus and life in the cenacles (of prayer). Before dinner, we had a moment of prayer with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. In this encounter with Jesus, face to face, between meditation of a text and silence, we let Jesus look us, as Pope Francisco says.
After dinner, we heard the moving testimony of Barbara, Italian CLM preparing to go to Carapira, Mozambique. We heard a testimony of life rich in Gospel, where Barbara clearly substantiated us the option to leave a stable job, which culminated in home, car, family and social life, “it is Him that asks us to leave everything and follow Him.” A very interesting testimony.
The 24 began at 08:00 with the prayer of Lauds. In the morning, we were asked to form four groups and then go to ponder some of the texts proposed. During this time, the group had the opportunity to exchange our points of views with colleagues, a very interesting dialogue. At noon, we celebrate the Eucharist, which is always time for unity, sharing and joy. After lunch, the candidates started on their journey back home, because it was the day of the presidential elections and most of us still must fulfill our civic duty.
I believe that this meeting was very important and intense. It challenged us to grow spiritually, to become aware of what the Church calls and wants of the laity, in addition to seeking God in silence. I appreciate the wonderful meeting that the CLM, through Pedro Moreira, provide us with the certainty that we are a real family which is passionate for Christ and mission in the manner of Comboni.
By Pedro Nascimento (CLM candidate)
