Mexico: A Price on his Head
The daily life of a Mexican priest, threatened with death and target of an organized smear campaign launched in response to his fight for justice and truth. Father Marcelo Pérez has refused police escort. It’s two o’clock in the morning when Father Marcelo Pérez receives a threatening phone call from an unknown individual, identifying themselves as […]
Ethiopia: That propitious day
The Gedeo are an ethnic group in southern Ethiopia. Among the Gedeo, there are three main ways to find a girl to marry. The first way is called bultane which means in peace and full agreement. The two families are fully involved in the process. The first step is taken by the father of the […]
Philippine: The Fiesta, joyful celebration
The life of the Filipino villages and parishes is built around the “Fiesta”, a yearly celebration of the Patron Saint which includes the preparations, the solemn Mass, the procession with the images of the Saint, the cooking, and the hospitality. Every town in the Philippines, no matter how big or small, holds a fiesta. Traditionally, […]
Africa: The hippo and its passion for rivers
It is one of the most iconic of the African land mammals. It lives in water but cannot swim. The hippopotamus implements strategies that enable it to stay afloat in all circumstances. Discovering its secrets. Weighing up to and even more than 3 tons, the hippopotamus has serious flotation problems. The rhinoceros has the same […]
Brazil: Protection against Coronavirus in the Rainforest
The Coronavirus pandemic has hit Brazil’s indigenous people even harder than the rest of the population. To protect themselves, some people retreated deep into the rainforest. It’s seven o’clock in the morning when the Capuchin friar Paolo Braghini sits down in a small aluminium boat, starts the outboard and sails up the Igarapé de Belém, […]
Ecuador: Bishop Eugenio Arellano: “I tried to give concrete answers to the needs of people”
After leading for twenty-six years the Apostolic Vicariate of Esmeraldas, on the north-western coast of Ecuador, Monsignor Eugenio Arellano offered his resignation having reached the age limit. His commitment to environmental protection and education will remain in the hearts of people. We met him. Speaking of Esmeraldas, Bishop Arellano says: “There is a beautiful community […]
Vocation Story: Pilgrim to the truth
At the age of seven, he meets John Paul II, who is visiting his country. The idea of becoming a priest takes root in the young boy, and he begins ‘a pilgrimage to the Truth’. A young Comboni missionary, Fr. Prosper Tehou, from Benin tells us his story. At first, rather than an idea, it […]
Oral Literature: The monkey and the crocodile
Once upon a time the monkey and the crocodile were good friends. At midday the monkey would always go to the river bank and call the crocodile: “Crocodile come! Let us chat together.” The crocodile would hear him and go to his friend to have some pleasant time together. One day the chief of all […]
Vocation Story: To Share our Faith
Theology students hailing from various countries are preparing themselves to become priests with the Comboni’s. They share their vocation story. Benjo Raposa is from the Philippines, 33 years old. He said: “Since childhood, I dreamt of becoming a missionary, especially during high school. I read missionary stories and magazines that motivated me. I continued my […]
Mission Diary: “I consider myself a “gardener of the Word”
“I try to motivate children, youth and the elderly to become passionate about the Word of God. My dream and what keeps me happy: to take the Word of God to the heart of all Christian communities” Fr. Justin Martinez tells us his experience. When I was asked to work in the city of Manaus, […]
