Oral Literature. Liyondo and the three tests
There once lived a King who had seven strong sons. When the day arrived for the eldest of them to leave the family home, he explained to his father that he longed to travel to a distant land and requested a sailing boat, together with some food and money. The king provided him with these […]
People & Culture. Kenya/Maasai. The concept of God
In the life of Maasai, God is always present. They are indeed a deeply religious people. Not far from the border between Kenya and Tanzania, can be found the mountain the Maasai call Oldoinyo le Engai, “God’s Mountain”, and it is half way between the white mountain, the “Kilimanjaro”, and the black one, the “Meru”. […]
Vocation Story. Fr. Marnecio. “Things do not happen by chance.
From a simple life in the Philippines to missionary work in Africa and Brazil, Fr. Marnecio Quarteros ’s vocation journey is a testament to God’s love, guidance, and purpose, shaping him to realise that things do not happen by chance. It is God’s will. Every time I share my vocation story, I am filled with […]
Uganda/Karamoja. Farewell to Arms
The Karamoja region has always been marked by violence. A project by the local diocese of Kotido is now supporting former Karimojong fighters on a new path of dialogue and personal and community growth. It’s one in the afternoon when, under the vast sky of Kotido, Karamoja, in northeastern Uganda, an important dialogue begins among […]
On the Road. The Meaning of Life and Love
It is time to think about the meaning of life and love. We need to examine the deeper, more enduring relationships that will give us more fully human experiences like married love, love of family and children, friendship and above all, the commitment to serve others for no reward. The Good Samaritan is the great […]
Herbs & Plants. Black Nightshade – Solanum Nigrum
The plant has a long record of use in traditional medicine for the treatment of a number of conditions. For centuries, plants have played a vital role in human survival, culture, and healing. Among these, Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) stands out as a modest yet remarkable species. It is a small shrub, typically 30-120 cm […]
Justice in African Culture
Justice is about balance, both within the community and within the cosmos. Rather than being based on rights, justice is based on life itself as it is lived in a community. There are two words associated with justice in Luganda language in Uganda: bwenkanya and mazima. Bwenkanya means the capacity to equalise. The same word […]
Catholics growing in Africa
New data from the Annuario Pontificio 2026 and Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2024 highlight trends in baptized populations across the five continents, with a remarkable increase in the number of Catholics in Africa. The data in the Annuario Pontificio reveal several developments in the life of the Catholic Church worldwide for 2025. During this period, six […]
After the Jubilee. An Easter of Hope
We Christians must rekindle hope and shout it loudly to a world that has none. The Jubilee has ended, but its message should live on and not be lost: the message of hope. Pope Francis, in announcing the Jubilee, gave this instruction: “Pilgrims of hope.” Today, not only has faith grown weak, but even more […]
On the Road. Gratitude as a Daily Practice
One may define gratitude as “the quality of being thankful.” Alternatively, we can think of it as an attitude, emotion, personal trait, or behavioural practice. However, it is conceived that the quality of being grateful is a foundational component of daily social exchange and can carry deep meaning both on interpersonal and intrapersonal levels. Perhaps […]
