Uganda – The Akitocol. The elders’ feast.
Among the Karimojong people of north-eastern Uganda, time is marked by ethnic seasonal festivals. One of these is ‘Akitocol‘, the feast of the elders: male youths make offerings of meat as a sign of respect to the elders (ngikasikou). Karimojong individuals become official members and can have their say in the community after they go […]
Mission Diary. Bedouin Women. Resilience and Hope.
In addition to reflecting the beauty and harshness of the desert, Bedouin women are remarkable for their resilience, strength, and deep sense of solidarity. They are also curious and cultivate the value of hospitality. Sister Cecilia Sierra tells us how she came to know them. They are curious. On one occasion we visited a Bedouin […]
Reflection. The Power of Christian Thinking
Christian thinking can shape culture, exploring how best to bring the core content of the Gospel message to different cultural contexts and groups. Seeking to influence cultures through critical thinking is precisely what is described as evangelizing cultures. Half the world’s population is predicted to be in cities by 2025. Even if the prediction has […]
Witnesses of Jubilee. Card. Van Thuan. Hope in Prison
Cardinal Van Thuan was arrested in 1975 and spent 13 years in prison, nine of them in solitary confinement in Hanoi. He used his time not only for personal prayer but also to write a reflection that continues to inspire. Van Thuan had been appointed as Coadjutor Archbishop of Saigon just seven days before South […]
Reflection. Training to Toughness
Preparedness for a tough life is the foundation for achievement. Very many great men from humble backgrounds rose to high levels of performance precisely because they adopted the tough path. We read of Abraham Lincoln striving to complete his studies and walking some 50 miles to consult a book in the nearest library. Lal Bahadur […]
Mission Diary. Alive with thankfulness to God
“Teaching is a wonderful experience. I try to give my life for others through education”. Comboni Sister Beatriz Cristina Mata, who has been in South Sudan for twenty-five years, shares her experience. After the terrible earthquake that hit my native Mexico, in 1985, I had to reconsider many things and this led me, after a […]
Vocation Story. Fr. Jude: “I took off my sandals”
In the family he learned to be a Christian. In the parish he learnt to serve God and the Church. He became a diocesan priest and worked in areas where only Afrikaans was spoken. He eventually joined the Comboni Missionaries. He worked in Malawi and Zambia. Fr Jude Eugene Burgers talks about his vocation and […]
European Bishops call for European unity and solidarity with Ukraine’
In light of the increasing complexity and geopolitical uncertainty surrounding peace in Ukraine, the Presidency of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) released a statement on 4 March 2025, expressing strong support for Ukraine. COMECE stated: “Ukraine’s struggle for peace will also be decisive for the fate of Europe and […]
Witnesses of Jubilee. Bakhita. A beacon of hope for those trapped in modern slavery
As the Patron Saint of victims of human trafficking, Saint Bakhita’s legacy serves as an inspiration to millions around the world. Pope Francis said that “as the Jubilee focuses the Church on the theme of hope, we must also ask ourselves how we can nourish that hope for the millions of people who are trapped […]
Herbs & Plants. Rauvolfia vomitoria: A multipurpose medicinal plant
It is a versatile plant with a wide range of uses. Its role in traditional medicine has led to its integration into the pharmaceutical industry. The plant, which belongs to the Apocynaceae family, is commonly known as “devil’s pepper”, a name that reflects its potent properties and peculiarities. This shrub or small tree, which can […]
