Portugal – Page 25 – Comboni Lay Missionaries

Visit to the CLM group in Portugal

30 December, 2015 by Alberto de la Portilla

Before Christmas, I was invited by the CLM from Portugal to share with them their Christmas meeting.

This is an important meeting for the CLM group, where candidates and CLM meet to get formation, pray and celebrate Christmas together.

We met in the house of the MCCJ in Viseu. It was a weekend full of many important moments.

On arrival at Lisbon, they were waiting for me and we could dine in Pedro´s home before travel by car to Viseu. There we went slowly reaching the different participants from all places in Portugal. A moment of gathering with the CLM and meet all those who are preparing and discerning their missionary vocation.

We began with Mass in the morning where we also find Comboni fathers, brothers and sisters. During the morning, we talked with the group about the history and organization of CLM internationally. From the group’s questions we were entering in part of our history, of the decisions we have been taking to grow as a family and especially of how we have been doing reality, through the commitment and dedication of many, this missionary vocation.

The second part of the morning we used to enter into the commitments of Maia, see how we are trying to carry out and explain the support that from the Central Committee we tried to give to all groups to enable the challenges agreed.

The afternoon was spent touring the city of Viseu, giving hugs, thinking and praying about the year of mercy, doing missionary animation and talking to people about the challenge of mercy throw us this year by Pope Francisco. All this in an entertaining Gymkhana. All these experiences were able to share in the evening prayer.

We spent the night sharing the testimony of my beautiful years of Mozambique. A time to talk about vocation and missionary service.

On Sunday, we worked on practical aspects of the next CLM European assembly of this summer to be held in Portugal. A nice welcome challenge for the group of Portuguese candidates and CLM that will host the 5 European countries that give us appointment in August. Also a time to speak of missionary animation and finding the funds needed to carry out the mission.

At the end, the Eucharist served as conclusion and thanksgiving for this beautiful time.

I said nothing of the many Christmas sweets who joined us for the weekend, and the numerous conversations we were able to keep, a great part of the meeting. Of course, I encourage those who have doubts, touches off the couch and find which path to which the Lord calls us. In Portuguese CLM Group, you will find a good place to reflect, discern and be accompanied on this missionary service.

Christmas Greetings

On the way to the Mission – Sending Maria Augusta to CAR

1 November, 2015 by Alberto de la Portilla

On October 25, echoing the message that brings the October missionary, celebrated around the world, we celebrated with joy and faith, the ceremony of sending of Maria Augusta Pires for the Central African Republic.

We thank God for a week of missionary animation in the schools of Dornelas do Zêzere and Pampilhosa, with great joy we share with the children our missionary experiences, while we gave testimony of Him who sends us always on mission.

In the four homes in the area, after a moment of prayer, was wonderful to see the faces of the elderly who opened into a big smile when we started singing and clapping… Everyone was very happy and promised to pray for missionaries every day.

On Saturday afternoon, in the Eucharist celebrated by three priests (Fr. João and Fr. Orlando, from these parishes and Father Dario of the Comboni Missionaries) in six parishes around Janeiro de Baixo (birthplace of Maria Augusta), we gave our missionary testimony as Comboni Lay Missionaries.

This missionary week culminated with a Mass in the parish church of Janeiro de Baixo, chaired by monsignor Virgilio, bishop of Coimbra, where we solemnly celebrated the sending of the CLM Maria Augusta Pires, that will leave next November 9 to the Mission of Mongoumba – CAR – where will make community with the CLM Elia Gomes that it is there since 2011.

In this so special and meaningful Eucharist, the church was full of Christians from the various parishes in the area who wanted to join us to pray for all missionaries. At the end of the Mass there were tears and emotion on the faces of almost everyone, moved by the words of Maria Augusta about the Mission. Many, many people came to say hello and to wish good luck for the mission and telling that they would pray for her.

After Mass Mgr. Virgilio greeted and spoke to all the people who wanted to be with him (and there were many!).

At the end of this day, I can only, thanks, thank the Bishop for his presence, his secretary Father Pedro, Father Dario, a Comboni missionary and the Fathers Juan and Orlando for the effort they put into making possible this missionary week. Everything went very well, so thank the Lord wholeheartedly.

Maria Augusta Pires (CLM on the way to the Mission)

Let your kingdom come

28 October, 2015 by Alberto de la Portilla

That rainy weekend from 9 to 11 October, we were welcomed in Viseu in the house of the Comboni Missionaries for the second formation meeting.

For me it was the first time I have experienced, and very successfully, this monthly walk I propose myself: a trip to Viseu, the warm welcome in the house of our missionary brothers, the deepening of faith and love for Jesus, St. Daniel Comboni and the neighbor.

In the previous meeting in Fatima, they had met for the first time the new candidates that are now beginning the process of formation, to know the CLM Movement. This encouraged me to decide, take inner awareness and the decision to start “now”.

Now we face a first issue as a question or challenge

– Kingdom of God: myth or reality? For this, the Comboni Missionary Secular Clara Carvalho guided us and helped deepen.

First, what is a myth? What is reality?

From common sense, if we think that reality is not only the body but also the mind, sensations, feelings and emotions, our relationship with God and his love are realities.

– Is the Kingdom of God something that already exists and is still under construction? Or is it something that may come here in many centuries? Nothing better than God’s Word to answers.

From a long list of references to biblical texts of the Old and New Testaments, we create two working groups, one to examine the question How is the kingdom of God?, the other to answer the question How can we enter in the Kingdom of God?

A kingdom for all, universal. For all time, which it cannot be destroyed. Which it is already among us (and in us), but does not seem visible. Unlike the kingdoms and republics of men, the kingdom of God is not “eat and drink”, but righteousness, peace and joy. It grows as the grain germinates on earth (even while the farmer sleeps) and fruits such as mustard seed, like yeast that makes the dough rise.

– What it is needed to “join” the kingdom of God?

(How to “enter” the Kingdom?, who “deserves” the Kingdom? … do not seem successful ways to place the question. Will not deserve all the men, leaving the wheat and the weeds grow next to each other until harvest?).

“Let the children come to me”.

“Blessed are the poor … … those who cry, the humble … the hungry … thirsty for justice … the merciful … the pure of heart … the peacemakers … those who are persecuted … “.

“You are the salt of the earth … the light of the world …”.

What a responsibility for us! And what an honor!

What is our role here and now, as subjects and servants of this kingdom? Where and who have yet to come? Believe in the Good News is accepting the mission to go and take the good news.

Leave everything and go without looking back. How this challenge calls us and scare us! How many of us are willing to do so? We trust in God that He providence the rest, how and when He called us.

On the second day, Clara shared with us her testimony of love for God and our brothers who suffer, in the various parts of the world where she was called. I retain, from her fiery words, the idea that “the mission is always action of God, we are only their collaborators”.

I cannot stop from evoke and emphasize the moments of prayer and Eucharistic celebration in which everyone participated and made me feel (as in the Upper Room of Jesus’ disciples) the presence of the Holy Spirit and the Comboni missionary spirit.

It was a very special meeting because, at the same time passed the annual meeting of the CLM of Portugal and we had the opportunity to live and share moments of prayer with the laity. And above all, for having the presence, quiet but determined, of Maria Augusta that will depart shortly for Mongoumba mission in the Central African Republic. Let us pray that the Lord will protect and bless the mission.

The rain that fell during the weekend, blessed by the Lord, make germinate seeds thrown to the ground and grow His harvest.

Mario Breda (Portugal)

Kingdom of God, Myth or Reality?!

20 October, 2015 by Alberto de la Portilla

“… God reveals to man the immeasurable riches of his being, his power, his goodness.

Creation and Revelation are their language…”

(Paul VI)

Love is not a myth!

Then the kingdom of God is not a myth! Because talking about love is talking about God! His Kingdom is not a space, a place, a hierarchy system. He is within us, like love! We are (all) a particle of His Kingdom.

We have an obligation to care, to feed it; Each with their responsibility and form, but always with lots of privacy! We are all different, it is true! But diversity is the wealth that God gives us to know and let us been known!

It is in this relationship of exchange that God is present, revealing, making us feel the unconditional love that makes us believe in our ability to grow with him and for him; That love that melts and transforms us into a beautiful unit, transcendent that makes us see in the other his face!

A unique love, great, merciful, that provokes us constantly!

However, it is necessary and essential that this Love is installed in our guts and sprout in our hearts through the words, thoughts, actions and ambitions to be active particles and of his kingdom!

For the kingdom is real, the love that is not always true! (The correct question would be: Love: Myth or Reality?!

Cristina Sousa (Portugal)

A happy time in Carapira – Mozambique

7 October, 2015 by Alberto de la Portilla

The going of Jesus, as told in the Gospel of Sunday XXIII Ordinary Time, to a territory outside the Jewish tradition tells us that God’s concern is with everyone, not leaving anyone out. A deaf is brought before Jesus, he knows nothing about Him because he did not hear and, of course, could not seek Him by his own initiative. Who does not know Jesus we do not have to censor, but rather lead to Him.

On the way we did for the trip to Mozambique we went to meet those forgotten by society, I talk about the homeless and the poor, because, however much people are supportive, we forget the real suffering of these our friends, loneliness. How many times have told us that we were different, we brought a smile, a hug, a kind word…? The feeling that I wanted to take with me to Carapira. I did not know what I was going to find, but I took an open heart, cheerful, full of love to give. We must learn from Jesus to feel the problems of others and get involved in their solution. It was that feeling and purpose that we try to achieve, and the Fe and Mission group conducted. We open ourselves, we listen, look, get involved and engaged with students of the Industrial School of Carapira, with the missionary family (fathers, brothers, sisters, laity) and with the community of Carapira. Where I loved the beautiful work of everyone, especially Lay Missionaries, who are close to people, communities and their everyday problems, as well as students of the Industrial School of Carapira.

Every day we went to meet the community of Carapira, after praying Lauds (06:00), after the “mata bicho” funny expression means having breakfast, from 1:30 to 2:00 I stay with the kids, playing with them, wearing a smile, I helped the moms to draw water… to be with people, give them a hug and a kind word for everyone we met. I learned that those who have nothing of material goods, are the happiest, they do not care for physical appearance of the other, about the dress or the way we are, but they appreciate the joy of life and the ability to share the little things We have to each other.

Highlighting some important moments of my stay. I visited on a Friday with Father Firmino the community of Caserna, it was the day of baptism. I loved to participate in this beautiful celebration and a special culture, while Fr. Firmino confessed youth they were to be baptized, I went for a walk around the community, and in one of the houses, was a young man of 12 years, David, lying at the entrance, moaning in pain. After having asked what was going on and not getting response appeared young David’s mother, who informed me that he was bitten by an animal. David’s hand was very swollen, so I got scared and tried to warn the mother to go to the doctor, but she said they could not, they live far from the health center, and had no money to go by public transport, the only transportation that could take. I could not escape this situation, however, I took from the backpack drinking water to clean the hand of the young and offered him a piece of cake, which I have to eat if I was hungry, David loved to eat something sweet and so good.

When I got to the school of Carapira, I went to the house of the Lay Comboni Missionaries, and asked for help to Marcia, a laity working in this mission, Portuguese and from the District of Aveiro, who immediately offered to help David.

The next week I was with a group of five young of Carapira talking on the street, when suddenly I see a man carrying on his back a woman who was ill with malaria, and could not walk far. I asked the young people for help, to assist the man, but the response was negative, as was normal, the lady was with malaria… but I could not bear to see this situation without doing anything, so I helped him, the man took the woman in the back and it was leaning on my shoulders… that will not be very helpful, but I think it was useful. These are small gestures that can change the world.

What I liked least to live and see in Mozambique was the lack of conditions in relation to health, education and equal rights for women, which are considered inferior to men. But the joy, friendship, simplicity of these people are able to overcome any existing negativity, I want to emphasize “people’s education”, they are highly educated (they like greeting people), even without the right to education that many other peoples have.

We all had various responsibilities, some more heavies, other lighters, but all very important and meaningful for the mission. We live and work as a community. I thank all the people who greeted us, welcomed us, who trusted us… but above all the youth of the Industrial School of Carapira, the 3rd B, of which I felt closer and every day I remember them, I pray that they study, strive for a better future and do not forget that they can be what they want, they are not inferior to anyone.

I have lived a dream I will never forget. I can say “I smelled the Mission,” which helped me grow as a man and as a Christian. I want to come back!!

For this and for that, I ask the Lord to heal us of deafness and blindness, and put us in sincere communion with His love and with the world around us.

See you son Carapira – Mozambique!

Germano Ferreira