Comboni Lay Missionaries

In the footsteps of the Risen Lord

Resucitado

Indeed, sometimes we see people like us and we cannot imagine the life they have behind them. In Caritas we attend to many people, almost “all” those who come expecting immediate solutions, food, help, comfort, or whatever. When many come, you run the risk of not “seeing” the person, but the number, of not seeing where they have been, nor what they have lived, but “what they are asking for”.

There are stories of families, of children who come alone, of women with children…

They come to Spain wounded and with expectations. Some by choice and others pushed by the conflicts that drive them away from their land, their homes and from the embrace of their families. When you hear stories that you can’t even imagine in a movie, you realize how big the world is and the human wickedness, but also how much we need God, and to have a willing mind and heart.

In the midst of that accompaniment, sometimes in the venting you verbalize being “at odds with God”, “how a good God, has allowed me to have suffered so much!”. “Where was God when I was threatened with death?” “Where was God when they threw me out of my house and stole everything I had?”

It happened to me…by inspiration, I was in the office and it occurred to me to invite one of these wounded people to participate in Easter in the parish. A Triduum lived in Community. She doesn’t say no, but I wasn’t sure she would come. She has the courage to do so. She sits in the last pew of the church, as if wanting to see but from afar, near the door. I respect the distance, and the space, but I remain attentive.

Holy Thursday. She gets excited and says she has been calm, after six years without stepping foot in a church. She liked it, she felt peace. She says that her problems have stayed for a moment at the door, everything has stopped. She has been taking medication for months to be able to sleep, she says she has breathed.

Good Friday. On the cross are nailed all the news that speak of the Christs that continue to be crucified every day. And her famous question “Where is God?” is answered and it turns out that God is suffering next to each person, and what we have to ask is where are the men and women of good will to bring the caress and comfort of God to those who are desperate?“

She comes out of this celebration very touched, she says she has felt that what has happened in the church ”was true”… but that she needs time to digest and understand. She needs so much time that she does not take the leap to participate in Saturday, the feast of the Resurrection.

She thanked me for inviting her by cell phone. She says she sleeps better, that she feels better. I would like to think that the door of reconciliation is opening, and on that path, in that experience, I hope she will soon meet the Risen One who never abandons us, who always sustains us, who loves us madly.

We will continue to accompany slowly and attentively.

Carmen Aranda, CLM Spain

Mission Camp 2025 Jubilee of Hope Metlatonoc, gro. Mexico

LMC Mexico

An experience with hope in common of the CLM that participated in the Holy Week Mission Camp in the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel, to discover how the people of the neighborhoods where we participated would receive us since it was the first time that they would have CLM in the neighborhoods of the parish. In our thoughts it was something complicated but the reality changed our vision since being there the experience was bearable, fruitful and of much teaching for all. We shared our faith from our experience even with the difficulty and limitation of not knowing the language or customs; they opened their hearts to us, with their attention and participation; they also expressed their gratitude to each one of us at different times.

The obstacles we encountered were diverse, the main one was the language, some of us got sick, the material we carried, not knowing the customs and culture. Fortunately there is something that unites us, the Faith we have in Jesus Christ lived in this Holy Week 2025 Jubilee year in which we were able to share with people in a friendly relationship, topics in the colonies, processions, prayer and Eucharist always with something characteristic of each day of the Holy Week.

That is why as CLM we believe that we must take into account: to know how to listen, to know without judging, to let ourselves be taught by the people who receive us, to enrich our values, to highlight the richness that we discover, to be open to the changes that may arise, to work obedience and respect for the leaders we meet, to forget about what may distract you and to live the MISSION, above all without leaving behind the Comboni Ideal, evangelizing the poorest and most abandoned, loving our Cross without being discouraged by the circumstances you may encounter, problems or adversities, always remembering Whom we serve and for Whom we are here, doing everything with Love to give Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.

CLM Mission Team in the Parish

Tadeo, Felisa, Mariana, Beatriz CLM from Mexico and Carol CLM from Costa Rica.

10 quotes from Pope Francis on the mission of the Church

Papa Francisco
Papa Francisco

1. “The whole Church is missionary”

Evangelii Gaudium, 2013

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.

Source: Supergesto

Feast of the Señor de los Trabajos – San Miguel Arcángel parish

LMC Mexico
LMC Mexico

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.

LMC Mexico

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.

LMC Mexico

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.

LMC Mexico

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.